Harvey enlisted in Dresden on June 18, 1862 into the Union Army. In the Company Description Book he was listed as age 27, he stood 5 feet and 11 inches tall, with dark complexion, black eyes and black hair. His occupation at the time was that of a farmer. He mustered out in Pulaski, TN on July of 1865.

He served in the following companies: I Co, 6th TN CAV and  A Co, 7th TN INF as both a private and corporal. Harvey was captured by General FORREST at Trenton, TN when carrying dispatches by order of General SULLIVAN in December of 1862, Paroled and exchanged by Gen. FORREST. There was a charge of desertion against Harvey also, but when he returned to duty the charge was no longer against him. He was sick with intermittent fevers at various times of service and was in the hospital in Memphis, TN. 

On Harvey's pension application of Feb 25, 1888 when he was age 52 and a resident of Palmersville in the county of Weakley, he states: My disease of the spine was caused by heavy lifting of large timber used in the building of the fort at  Dresden, TN in the fall of 1862. Also claimed that medicine given to him at the Memphis Hospital caused kidney disease. 

According to Isham and William GRIFFITH on their General Affidavit, Harvey was unable to perform his duties on the farm due to the pain in his back "not fit for manual labor at all"

Harvey's widow Paulina applied for the Widow's pension in 1892. She was aged 53 living in Palmersville. She stated that their marriage took place on April 10, 1866 and that Harvey died on Nov 13, 1891. Their youngest daughter Maggie was living at home with her at the time of the application. 

Harvey's brother Pinkney GATEWOOD also served in the same companies.

Submitted by Chris Gatewood Bean