[2] He married Eliza Jacobs Rogers on June 9, 1846, in New Castle County, Delaware, with whom he had one daughter before her death in 1848.

In 1861, at the beginning of the American Civil War, he held the position of first lieutenant on the USS Susquehanna in the Mediterranean Sea.

[1][21] He commanded the CSS Jamestown during the Battle of Hampton Roads, the famous battle with the USS Monitor, during which he captured two brigs and an Accomac schooner off Newport News Point while the CSS Virginia held the Union Navy's attention.

[22][23] After the Confederate evacuation of Norfolk, the Jamestown was scuttled to block the James River at Drewry's Bluff.

In the subsequent Battle of Drewry's Bluff, in which Confederate shore batteries drove off a Union Navy force heading towards Richmond, the Jamestown's guns were considered the main factor in repulsing the enemy ships.

Barney later explained that he made his recommendation since he considered that the presence of two separate marine forces with independent commanders would lead to discord and confusion.

[33] After the Civil War ended, Barney retired to Powhatan County, Virginia, before moving to Fredericksburg in 1874.