The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-13

five o'clock. He was brave soldier, true patriot
and an honest man. Here, where his many amiable
and excellent qualities were known and appreciated,
he will be mourned with sincere grief. He had re-
sided among many years, and the relations which
had sprung up between him and our citizens were Of
character to inspire strong feelings of mutual res
pect and attachment There was tinge of personal
affection in the esteem with which they regarded
him. His was truly loyal nature, and his generous
disposition and perfect simplicity of character were
calculated to draw around him the warmest friends
There was no more just or true-hearted man. Whe-
ther in the social circle or on the field of battle he
had the entire confidence of those around him.
AS soldier, 1t may be said Of him. as OF Bayard,
that he was without fear and without reproach
The sorrow that his death causes among his &C.
quanances will be partaken by the American pe0-
pie, from eastern frontier to the shores of the
Pacifc for his distinguished career in arms had
made him known to them all
We will undertake hasty summary Of the princi-
pal events in his military le leaving the task of
adequate memoir to more competent hand We
cannot now enumerate the testimonials OF gratitude
and admiration which the gallant old soldier had
ceved from Congress, from State Legislatures, and
other public bodies; but they were many in number,
and all of them bestowed under circumstances evinc
ing the highest appreciation OF his great worth and
eminent services
General Riley was born in Maryland, in 1887. He
entered the army Ensign Of Rifles in 1913, and
was promoted to Third Lieutenancy the same year.
He was made Second Lieutenant in lsl4, and at
the reduction Of the army, which took place at the
close OF the war with Great Britain he retained
as Lieutenant in the Rifle Regiment During the
war he was distinguished as gallant and efficient
soldier, and gained the appreciation of his COM
handing officers The st. Lawrence frontier, ex-
tending as far as Plattsburg, was the of his
early military exploits and the parties of British and
Indians, from over the lines from La Cole Mills to
Lake Champlain, soon came to dread the murderous
rifles of the parties commanded by Lieut.. Riley. In
1917, he was promoted TO First Lieutenant and to
Captaincy in 1918. The Rifle Regiment had been
stationed on the western and northwestern frontier
fhn nf ,tvnkvf
incident to his profession Captain Riley was still
the efficient and indefatigabe officer. In 1922, he
was arranged to the 5th Regiment of Infantry and
in the year transferred to the 9th Regiment of
formed part of an expedition up the Missouri River,
as far as the Yellow Stone. The expedition was
commanded by Colonel Leavenworth The gallant
Riley again distinguished himself in actions with
the Indians, particularly with the Ariekarees. In
1925 he received the brevet Of Major. for ten years
service in the grade Of Captain. Shortly after this
time Major Riley was sent with battalion of troops
on the Santa Fe trail, at that time terra ,ncognaa
He afforded, during the expedition, protection to
the traders, and, in several conflicts with large
parties OF Indians won new laurels, and taught,
for the first time on the praries of the west, les
son to the savage tribes, which they have never
forgotten. In 1882, his regiment participated in
the Black Hawk war, the fearful "Choera Cam.
paign;" and Major Riley was, as usual, active in
the performance of his duties. In 1887 he was
promoted to Major Of the 4th Infantry, and was
stationed at Fort Gibson, on the Arkansas river.
His services, for many years, had been on the re-
mote frontiers of the west and northwest. About
this time he was ordered to Florida, in the war
against the Seminole Indians. In 1889, he was pro-
NOTED to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the Sc
c0nd regiment OF infantry, and took command of his
regiment, at that time operating in Florida. He
and his regiment were very active in the prosecution
OF the war, and were several times engaged with
parties OF the enemy. In lS44, he received the bre
vet of Colonel, to rank from "June lS4O the day on
which was fought the battle Of Chokochatta, Flo
rida in which he particularly distinguished himself
by bravery and good conduct, and for long, merito
rious, and gallant services" In 1872 at the close
of the Florida war; he, with his regiment, was or
dered to this frontier and for than three years
his head quarters were in this CITY, Here his urbanity
and kindness in private life andhs sodierly bearing
in the discharge of his duties, made him general
fayorite. He was ordered to Detroit in 1916, or
early in lS46, and in the summer of 1916 his
torious army of General Taylor. Being delayed
some time to fill up his regiment with recruits,
he did not join the army in Mexico until after the
battle OF Monterey. In January, lS47, he accompa-
MED the army in its march from Monterey to Tam
pco, at which point he Joined General Scott, and
was at the landing Of Vera Cruz, Where he com.
manded the second brigade Of Twiggs' Division
Gen. T. F. Smith commanding the first brigade.
After the fall of Vera Cruz, the division to which
Riley belonged was pushed on towards Mexico,
and found the enemy in force at Cerro Gordo on the
18th April ls47 In this battle he received the bre-
vet Of Brigadier General for gallant and merito.
of Mexico, Twiggs division had the enemys strongly
entrenched camp to carry at Contreras. To Rley's
brigade, sustained by reserves, confded, under
the direction of General Smith the assaultng of the
work. The way they performed it, is matter of his
tory Riley received the brevet Of Major General
for gallant conduct in this battle August Doth lS47.
When the American troops retired from Mexico,
Gen. Rileys regiment was ordered to Pascagoula
Louisiana, and from thence to Jefferson Barracks
Mo. In the fall of lS4S, he ordered to Califor
mia. with his regiment, and had most arduous duties
there to perform, commanding that military depart
ment, and er o1fcto provisional governor. In his
Lew vacations, whose duties and responsibilities he
encountered with that cheerfulness and zeal which
had ever characterized him he gave entire satisac
tion and won the esteem and confidence of all with
whom he was associated While in California he
was Frustrated by disease the seeds of which we're,
perhaps, brought from the campaigns of Mexico,
which were never entirely eradicated, and which,
perhaps, may have brought on the malady that has
terminated his life. In 1850, he was promoted to be
colonel of the LIST infantry, and ordered from Cali
fornia to take command Of his regiment at that time
serving on the Rio Grande. He reached New York on
hia return from California, the wreck of what he had
been, when he entered Mexico. Incapable BY debility
and the remains Of disease of active duties and COM
mand he selected Buffalo asthe place where he and his
family had enjoyed health and happiness and where
he hoped again to enjoy those comforts in the society
Of his many friends He purchased pretty place,
which he designated the F" Soldiers Retreat and
daily his erect Observation-Disclosures debity-and
his finn step, could be seen as he walked into the
city; his health and strength apparently improved.
In the winter of 1872, he at Washington urg-
ing the settlement of his California accounts While
there, sore broke out on his right cheek which
continued to spread, notwithstanding the best med
cal treatment until the whole side of his face was
destroyed by the cancer, which now has had fatal
termination. That tall, straight, soldierly FORM
which so often braved with mpnnity the balls Of the
foe sunk under the attack of that enemy before
whom all must sooner later bow. We shall no
more see him in our midst. His warfare is ended.
Rest, soldier rest
He bowed with submission and resignation to the
decree of his Heavenly Father trusting to the atone
ment Of Christ for his salvation.
Obituary.
WILLIAM THORNTON DosIrHAs. son Of General A. W.
Donpban died at the residence Of his father in Liberty
Mo-, the 9th ult from taking corrosive sublinate
which had been given to him through mistake for dose
Of salts.
Jededah Ayers. ffer in the army OF the Revolution
died in Pleecher Fulton county New York the 18th OF
May. bis certificate pensoner dated November
~, 1913 and signed by John c. Calhoun Secretary Of
War.
DOmestic Miscellany.
hard to ba IoJ., Il