PATRICK CONLEY -- 16th ARTILLERY and 1st MOUNTED RIFLESDESERTED AFTER FURLOUGH - Born in Canada, Patrick Conley crossed theCanada/U. S. border and enlisted in the 16th Artillery in the Town ofClinton on December 26, 1863. For this enlistment, he received a townbounty of \$300 and a county bounty of \$200. He was mustered in atElmira, NY, in early January of 1864 to serve for three years. Within acouple of months, all the companies had gathered at Fortress Monroe andspread out from there. Some remained at the Fort, others went toYorktown, and Gloucester Point and other places, serving as HeavyArtillery and Infantry.The 16th Artillery was the largest regiment ever recruited in theCivil War, and had men in the following places: Yorktown, 1,140;Williamsburgh, 736; Gloucester Point, 147; Bermuda Hundred, 270; puttingup telegraph, 60; with 148th Infantry, 46; with 1st Mounted Rifles,272---transferred; with 85th Infantry, 46; with light batteries UnitedStates Artillery, 22; with Army of the Potomac, 201---transferred;making a total of 2,928 men and 63 officers. Through the two-year lifeof the regiment, 4,024 cycled through the regiment.In May 1864, Patrick was one of 272 men transferred to the 1st MountedRifles and by the end of July 1864, was promoted to corporal on thePetersburg battlefield. He remained with the regiment until January1865, when he deserted while on furlough and went back to his family inCanada. The Clinton Town Clerk's record of 1865, show that his residencewas Canada.
