DUVCW #56, William Henry Riley

Private, Co. D, 3rd Regt. Infantry, Potomac Home Brigade
Mustered in: 23 Jul 1862 at Oakland, Md.
Mustered out: 29 May 1865 at Baltimore, Md.

Descendants:
Joyce Wrigley (Great Great Granddaughter)
Connie Nicholson (Great Great Granddaughter)
Kaitlyn Nicholson (4th Great Granddaughter)

Veteran's Activity Summary:
William enlisted in the 3rd Regiment, Potomac Home Brigade in Allegany (now Garrett) County, Md. His unit was assigned to the Middle Department and on Sept. 13, 1862 this formed a part of the beleaguered garrison at Harper's Ferry, Va. (now WV) The unit was actively engaged during all the fighting incident to the siege on Maryland Heights, Md and Bolivar Heights, Va from September 13 to 15, 1862.

The 3rd Regiment was captured and surrendered with the garrison and paroled when duly exchanged on Sept. 15, 1862.

The Unit was then assigned to guarding the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

On the invasion of Maryland by General Early's Confederate Army in July 1864, the 3rd Regiment Infantry confronted their advance, and had a lively and gallant skirmish with the enemy to the west of Frederick City, Md. The Unit also took a conspicuous part with General Lew Wallace's little army at the battle of Monocacy, July 9, 1864, where this small army was ordered to give battle to overwhelming force of the enemy, in order to enable reinforcements to reach and protect the Capital at Washington. After General Early's Army was driven out of Maryland, the 3rd Regiment Infantry advanced with General Hunter's Army into Virginia, and took part in the engagement with the enemy at Snicker's Gap, Va., July 18, 1864.

The 3rd Regiment Infantry then became a part of General Sheridan's Army of the Shenandoah and participated in the engagements at Bolivar Heights, Halltown, Charlestown and Berryville, Va in August 1864. After this, the 3rd Regiment Infantry was assigned to the Department of West Virginia where they remained on duty until the close of the war and the muster out of hte unit on May 29, 1865.

Source: History and Roster of Md Volunteers of 1861-1865, Vol. 1-2.