James Riley

American Civil War Veteran

Born in New Jersey, America, in 1829, James Riley (whose real name was Oliver H Atwood) enlisted in the American Army in 1862, aged 33. He was 6 foot 2 inches tall, with brown hair and grey eyes.

He served in the 155th New York Regiment, rising to the rank of 1st Sergeant. In 1864, he was badly wounded by gunshot in the right thigh at the battle of Reams Station on Weldon Railway, and nearly lost his leg as a result.

He came to Australia and married Mary Reid at Beechworth in 1886, having previously been married in America and left a widower in 1870.

James Riley died in Ovens District Hospital, Beechworth, of acute alcoholism on 14th September, 1901.