Richard Riley

Richard Riley enlisted in Company H on August 11, 1862 at Detroit. He was mustered into service on August 13th. He was 23 years old. His brother George enlisted with him. Before the war, Richard lived and worked on the family farm in Greenfield, Michigan.

Richard was wounded in the leg at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. Richard must have shown a great deal of promise, as he was eventually promoted to sergeant, probably to fill one the "Gettysburg" vacancies. He was taken prisoner at Jericho Ford (North Anna), Virginia on May 23, 1864. At one point during the action on May 23, the Iron Brigade was taken in the flank by a surprise confederate advance. the brigade fell back in "some disorder" hotly pursued by the confederates. Richard was not able to keep up, perhaps because of his Gettysburg wound, and fell into enemy hands.

He was taken to Andersonville prison where he died on October 23, 1864. He was buried in the prison cemetery, which is now a National Cemetery, in grave number 11151.

Descendant: Dean Letzring LETZRINGD@aol.com