Eldridge RileyEldridge RileyThe 54th Regiment of North Carolina Troops saw several significant battles, including the Confederate victories at Chancellorsville and Fredricksburg, during the time that Eldridge and Judson Riley were members of Company H. The troops were under the command of "Stonewall" Jackson and General Robert E. Lee.
In summarizing the life of Eldridge Riley, we know that his parents were named George and Lucinda and that he was born, January 2, 1832 in Davidson County, North Carolina. We further know, that he lived most of his life in Montgomery and Yadkin Counties in North Carolina. In his early years he worked as a "waggoner", with his father, and spent most of his adult life working as a farmer.
As a family man, we know that Eldridge Riley was married to the same woman for almost 30 years and that he was the father of five sons and one daughter. We know that he took care of his mother after the death of his father and instilled these values in his family. This fact can be best demonstrated through his oldest son, Nelson Frank Riley, who cared for his own mother after Eldridge Riley's death. We further know that Eldridge Riley was a man of courage and vision as demonstrated by his service as a soldier of the Confederacy and by his leading the family, by wagon, on the long journey from North Carolina to Kentucky.
Personal Communications with Greg Riley. Greg's emal address is: gpp@challenger.net