Bennet Riley
Encyclopedia
Bennett C. Riley was the seventh and last military governor of the territory of California
before it became a U.S. state
. He also served as a general in the United States Army
during the Mexican-American War.
, and by 1821 he was transferred to the 6th U.S. Infantry.
The officer joined his superior, Colonel Henry Leavenworth
, in an engagement against
the Arikara
Indians in August 1823. Riley was honored for ten years of faithful service by being promoted to brevet
major
on August 6, 1828, leading the first military escort along the Santa Fe Trail
in 1829.
He had tenures as Major in the 4th U.S. Infantry (1837) and lieutenant colonel
, 2nd U.S. Infantry
, beginning in December 1839. The Battle of Chokachotta in Florida took place on June 2, 1840. Colonel Riley was cited for bravery and good conduct during this engagement in the Seminole Wars
. He gained the rank of Brevet Colonel
in February 1844.
During the Mexican-American War, Riley was colonel of the 2nd U.S. Infantry and fought at the Siege of Veracruz
and the Battle of Cerro Gordo
. He was brevetted brigadier general
and assumed command of the 2nd Brigade in David E. Twiggs
's Second Division. He led his brigade at the Battle of Contreras
and the Battle of Churubusco
, where Winfield Scott
gave him credit for the U.S. victory. He was appointed brevet major general
and fought at the Chapultepec
. He is generally considered one of the ablest brigade commanders in the army during the war with Mexico.
In the years 1849 and 1850, General Riley commanded the Military Department in Upper California
and exercised the duties of Provincial Governor. After his administrative service concluded on the Pacific, Riley was ordered to take command of a regiment on the Rio Grande
. However ill-health prevented further service on his part. He returned to his home in Buffalo, New York
.
The many military campaigns he took part in over the years had a deleterious effect on his health. He finally succumbed to an aggravated form of cancer
. General Riley died on Thursday evening, June 10, 1853. He left a widow (Arabella, who drew a pension until her death on February 12, 1894 and five children.)
Fort Riley
and Riley County, Kansas
are both named in his honour.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
before it became a U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
. He also served as a general in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during the Mexican-American War.
Life
Riley entered the U.S. Army at an early age. On January 19, 1813, he was appointed Ensign of Rifles. In March of the same year, he became a third lieutenant and in April 1814 a second lieutenant in the First Rifles. He gained a promotion to the first lieutenant in March 1817. Riley was further advanced to captain in the 5th U.S. Infantry5th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 5th Infantry Regiment is the third-oldest infantry regiment of the United States Army, tracing its origins to 1808...
, and by 1821 he was transferred to the 6th U.S. Infantry.
The officer joined his superior, Colonel Henry Leavenworth
Henry Leavenworth
Henry Leavenworth was an American soldier active in the War of 1812 and early military expeditions against the Plains Indians...
, in an engagement against
Arikara War
The Arikara War took place in August of 1823 between the United States and the Arikara native Americans near the Missouri River, in present-day South Dakota. Arikara warriors had previously attacked a trapping expedition traveling on the river. The United States responded with forces of 230...
the Arikara
Arikara
Arikara are a group of Native Americans in North Dakota...
Indians in August 1823. Riley was honored for ten years of faithful service by being promoted to brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
on August 6, 1828, leading the first military escort along the Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe Trail
The Santa Fe Trail was a 19th-century transportation route through central North America that connected Missouri with Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pioneered in 1822 by William Becknell, it served as a vital commercial and military highway until the introduction of the railroad to Santa Fe in 1880...
in 1829.
He had tenures as Major in the 4th U.S. Infantry (1837) and lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
, 2nd U.S. Infantry
2nd Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 2nd Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment in the United States Army. It has served the United States for more than two hundred years. It is the third oldest regiment in the US Army with a Lineage date of 1808 and a history extending back to 1791...
, beginning in December 1839. The Battle of Chokachotta in Florida took place on June 2, 1840. Colonel Riley was cited for bravery and good conduct during this engagement in the Seminole Wars
Seminole Wars
The Seminole Wars, also known as the Florida Wars, were three conflicts in Florida between the Seminole — the collective name given to the amalgamation of various groups of native Americans and Black people who settled in Florida in the early 18th century — and the United States Army...
. He gained the rank of Brevet Colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
in February 1844.
During the Mexican-American War, Riley was colonel of the 2nd U.S. Infantry and fought at the Siege of Veracruz
Siege of Veracruz
The Battle of Veracruz was a 20-day siege of the key Mexican beachhead seaport of Veracruz, during the Mexican-American War. Lasting from 9-29 March 1847, it began with the first large-scale amphibious assault conducted by United States military forces, and ended with the surrender and occupation...
and the Battle of Cerro Gordo
Battle of Cerro Gordo
The Battle of Cerro Gordo, or Battle of Sierra Gordo, in the Mexican-American War saw Winfield Scott's United States troops flank and drive Santa Anna's larger Mexican army from a strong defensive position.-Battle:...
. He was brevetted brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
and assumed command of the 2nd Brigade in David E. Twiggs
David E. Twiggs
David Emanuel Twiggs was a United States soldier during the War of 1812 and Mexican-American War and a general of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
's Second Division. He led his brigade at the Battle of Contreras
Battle of Contreras
The Battle of Contreras, also known as the Battle of Padierna, took place during August 19–20, 1847, in the final encounters of the Mexican-American War. In the Battle of Churubusco, fighting continued the following day.-Background:...
and the Battle of Churubusco
Battle of Churubusco
The Battle of Churubusco took place on August 20, 1847, in the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Contreras during the Mexican-American War. After defeating the Mexican army at Churubusco, the U.S. Army was only 5 miles away from Mexico City, the capital of the nation...
, where Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott was a United States Army general, and unsuccessful presidential candidate of the Whig Party in 1852....
gave him credit for the U.S. victory. He was appointed brevet major general
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
and fought at the Chapultepec
Battle of Chapultepec
The Battle of Chapultepec, in September 1847, was a United States victory over Mexican forces holding Chapultepec Castle west of Mexico City during the Mexican-American War.-Background:On September 13, 1847, in the costly Battle of Molino del Rey, U.S...
. He is generally considered one of the ablest brigade commanders in the army during the war with Mexico.
In the years 1849 and 1850, General Riley commanded the Military Department in Upper California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and exercised the duties of Provincial Governor. After his administrative service concluded on the Pacific, Riley was ordered to take command of a regiment on the Rio Grande
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
. However ill-health prevented further service on his part. He returned to his home in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
.
The many military campaigns he took part in over the years had a deleterious effect on his health. He finally succumbed to an aggravated form of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. General Riley died on Thursday evening, June 10, 1853. He left a widow (Arabella, who drew a pension until her death on February 12, 1894 and five children.)
Legacy
On 27 June 1853, Camp Center (Kansas Territory) was named Fort Riley in Bennett Riley's honor, even though he never served at the fort, and it was a cavalry post, while Riley's career was that of an infantryman.Fort Riley
Fort Riley
Fort Riley is a United States Army installation located in Northeast Kansas, on the Kansas River, between Junction City and Manhattan. The Fort Riley Military Reservation covers 100,656 acres in Geary and Riley counties and includes two census-designated places: Fort Riley North and Fort...
and Riley County, Kansas
Riley County, Kansas
Riley County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. The county's population was 71,115 for the 2010 census. The largest city and county seat is Manhattan. The county is part of the Manhattan, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area.Riley County is home to two of Kansas' largest...
are both named in his honour.
External links
- New York Times: General Riley, June 11, 1853, obituary
- Guide to the Bennet Riley Papers at The Bancroft Library
- Short bios of all California military governors