Riley

Soldier Profile: Patrick Riley

Co. H, 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry Regiment

Patrick Riley's war ended not in battle but in a post hole outside Port Hudson—a freak accident that shattered his health and left him struggling to survive for five years before exposure and disease finally claimed him at forty-four.

Early Life and Family

• Born: Circa 1825, Ireland (location unknown)

• Emigration: Unknown date

• Marriage: Married Mary Corrigan on November 4, 1847, in Lowell, Massachusetts, with Father Tucker presiding

• Children: Evidence suggests three children, though details survive for only one—Lizzie, born February 8, 1858

• Occupation: Laborer in the Lowell Machine Shop before the war

Military Service

Patrick enlisted on September 9, 1862, at thirty-nine years old—older than most volunteers. His enlistment record describes a small man: five feet five inches tall, with blue eyes, light-colored hair, and a light complexion. He was mustered into Company H of the 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry Regiment at Boston.

The Accident at Port Hudson (November 16, 1863)

On November 16, 1863, Patrick was on a scouting expedition outside Port Hudson when disaster struck. While maneuvering to surround a house, his horse stepped into a post hole and fell, partially landing on Patrick. His saber bent beneath him, severely injuring his right side. The pain was considerable and would never fully leave him.

Patrick spent the remainder of his service in the regimental hospital. Unable to read or write, he signed his affidavit about the accident with an X. Two witnesses validated his account: James Gallagher and Philip A. Smith, who had been with Patrick on the expedition. Sergeant John P. Fitzgerald, formerly a sergeant in the 3rd Cavalry, provided detailed testimony about what happened that day. Surgeon Albert Blanchard, who had served with the regiment, also testified on Patrick's behalf.

Discharge (January 18, 1864)

Patrick was discharged on January 18, 1864, at Port Hudson, Louisiana. The discharge papers tell the story of a broken man: he was suffering from chronic diarrhea contracted on duty and had "lost much flesh." He had been unable to carry out any duties for three months. Surgeon A. H. Blanchard declared him unfit even for the Invalid Corps—a unit for soldiers too injured for combat duty but capable of light garrison work. Patrick was assessed at three-quarters disability.

This assessment would haunt his pension applications for years.

The Long Dying

Patrick applied for an invalid pension on August 5, 1865. It was approved on June 28, 1866—but only for $4 per month, half pension, commencing August 5, 1865. An increase was pending at the time of his death, but the bureaucracy moved too slowly.

Dr. Nathan Allen's Testimony

Dr. Nathan Allen, the examining surgeon, frequently treated Patrick from his military discharge until his death. He declared that Patrick died of disease originating during his service. Over four years, Allen examined him six times and watched him deteriorate.

Patrick tried to work in the Lowell Machine Shop on several occasions—the same place where he had labored before the war—but did not have the strength. Dr. Allen, doubting Patrick's claims at one point, had his pension reduced from three-quarters to half. But he later admitted his mistake: "I now know he was honest, and his complaints were consistent and not exaggerated."

Allen spoke with several of Patrick's friends who confirmed that before the war, Patrick had been in good health, working steadily in the Lowell Machine Shop. They described him as "good, sober, industrious and temperate." His wife had been feeble.

Dr. Allen also noted that Patrick had three children, the eldest being eighteen years old at the time of one affidavit (date unknown).

The Final Months

Dr. Allen's last examination came on September 6, 1869. Patrick was in more pain than usual, with a cough and difficulty breathing. On November 15, 1869, Patrick's wife Mary asked Dr. Allen to approve him for an increase in pension. By then, Patrick was very feeble.

Dr. Gilman attended Patrick in his final days. He died on November 29, 1869, at forty-four years old. Dr. Gilman diagnosed the cause as consumption. Dr. Allen disagreed—Patrick had died from the effects of exposure in the army, the slow culmination of injuries and disease contracted in service.

Patrick Riley is buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, Lawrence, Essex, Massachusetts.

A Widow's Struggle

One week after Patrick's death, on December 6, 1869, his widow Mary applied for a pension. She was forty-five years old (born circa 1824) and living at 75 Lowell Street, Lowell, Middlesex, Massachusetts. She provided her marriage certificate and testimony about her daughter.

Mary was approved for a monthly pension of $8, plus $2 monthly for her child. The approval came on April 4, 1870—more than four months after Patrick's death—backdated to November 30, 1869, the day after he died. Her daughter received $2 per month until her sixteenth birthday on November 30, 1869—but by the time of approval, she had already passed that age.

Once again, the bureaucracy had moved too slowly.

Service & Family Timeline

Date Event Detail

Nov 4, 1847 Marriage To Mary Corrigan in Lowell, MA

Sept 9, 1862 Enlistment 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry

Nov 16, 1863 Injury Horse fall near Port Hudson, LA

Jan 18, 1864 Discharge Disability discharge (3/4 disability)

Aug 5, 1865 Pension Claim Filed for Invalid Pension

Nov 29, 1869 Deceased Lowell, Massachusetts