The extraordinary history of William Albright / Raley is true, and he did fight on both sides, he was a witness to some of the most important people and events of the Civil War.
I. Early Family History – Father/Mother – born where and when.
William was born on Feb. 2, 1844, son of William Albright & Hanna Railey. Hanna was originally from Cumberland. They were living in the Hyndman area. They were farmers – very poor, no education.
II. Description of Albright's marriage
William married Sarah Elizabeth Ray after the Civil War – in 1866 & they were living in Hyndman, Pa.
His home is listed on the 1877 Londonderry Township Map. They were also very poor – uneducated - farmers. They had 9 children, one being my Great Grandmother, Minnie Rebecca Albright Leonard.
III. William originally joined the 114th Virginia Militia from Hampshire County, then Virginia, across the Potomac River from Cumberland in what is now West Virginia around June of 1861.
Reason for joining the Confederates in 1861.
His Mother, Hanna, had Southern sympathies. The Militia members got to keep in value whatever was captured. Most militia soldiers were poor, uneducated country folk and this was a chance for adventure.
The Confederate Government issued Order #30.
The final section of General Order #30 provided:
"That for any arms and munitions of war captured from the enemy by any body of partisan rangers and delivered to any quartermaster at such place or places as may be designated by a commanding general, the rangers shall be paid their full value in such manner as the Secretary of War may prescribe".
The prospect of being paid for capturing enemy supplies
Was appealing to a Confederate Private or Militia soldier earning up to $12.00 a month.
So, at age 19, William Albright found himself a member of the 114th Virginia Militia sometime in June of 1863. It was listed that the 114th were unruly and drinkers of whiskey. They were not concerned with Confederate ideals. They had no real uniforms and had weapons brought from home.
The 114th Militia was joined into the 33rd Virginia Infantry – on June 17, 1861 – now known as the Potomac Guards from Hampshire County, Virginia. Company A.
Joining into the 33rd Virginia found Albright a member of Thomas Jonathan Jackson's famous "Foot Cavalry". Jackson was very strict. Drill, drill, & march up to 32 miles a day. The 33rd Virginia was in the Shenandoah Valley. At that time of the war, Jackson was under the Command of General Joseph E Johnston.
In July of 1861 – Johnston's troops were called to come to the Battle of First Bull Run. This battle was the first use of trains to transport men to the battle site. Albright fought on Henry Hill. It was listed that these men wore their regular clothes. They had not been issued uniforms. The 33rd Virginia was mistaken for Union troops as some of the 33rd had blue uniforms while others had no markings at all. This allowed them to capture Ricketts and Griffins Union Cannons on Henry Hill, the center of the battle and turn the battle into a Confederate victory.
During the battle, Albright would have been present to see "Jackson standing like a Stone Wall" at First Bull Run.
After the Battle, marching to Centerville, Va. to go into camp, William Albright and some other militia soldiers broke ranks and drank water out of puddles along the road. They had not been issued uniforms and equipment and had no canteens. For this infraction under Jackson, the men were arrested, loaded onto train cars and taken to Libby Prison at Richmond, Virginia.
There, he hung by his two thumbs in Libby Prison for 2 hours with just his toes touching the floor.
Returned to the 33rd Virginia later, these men were put on Picket Duty around Fairfax Court House, Virginia.
There, Albright was captured by Union soldiers patrolling the area. At night, Albright escaped his captors. Finding himself behind enemy lines, he turned north and made it back to Maryland. There, disgusted with Confederate service, he returned home to Hyndman, Pa.
IV.
After returning to Hyndman, he told stories of his adventures to the locals. Soon, a feeling of the excitement of battle and a chance of getting back at the Confederates led him to sign with the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry at Somerset on November 18th, 1862.
He enlisted as William Raley - listed as 19 years old, fair complexion, dark hair & dark eyes. He enlisted under the name of William Raley, his Mother's maiden name. His change of name was important because "Stonewall" Jackson was operating just across the Potomac River at Hancock, Maryland, Bath (Berkeley Springs), & Romney, Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley starting at Winchester, Virginia. During the Civil War, an ex-soldier or in this case, a deserter, would be hung or shot if captured.
Raley was officially mustered into service at Harrisburg, Pa. as a private in the 18th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, Company K.
The 18th was sent to Washington D.C. for camp and later proceeded to Fairfax Court House in early 1863. Drill, drill, drill was the order of the day.
The 18th was in the picket line covering the defense of Washington and scouting on the front. They had 5 months of duty at Fairfax.
Early in the spring of 1863, the 18th was associated with a brigade of Michigan troops under General George Armstrong Custer. The brigades were commanded by Brigadier General Julius Stahel.
In June of 1863, the 18th left Fairfax Court House and went to South Mountain near Sharpsburg, Md. General Stahel was replaced by General Judson Kilpatrick and the 18th joined the 3rd Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac.
General Elon Farnsworth was the new Brigade Commander of the 18th when the Brigade was in Hanover, Pennsylvania June 30th, 1863. Custer was also there with his new Michigan Brigade. A battle was fought with General Jeb Stuart. The battle of Gettysburg had begun.
On July 3rd, the Rebel Cavalry charged in the East Cavalry Field and was repulsed by Custer's Brigade. That evening, General Kilpatrick & General Elon J Farnsworth lead the Brigade to Bushmen's Hill beyond Big Round Top. On the 3rd day of the battle of Gettysburg, the famous charge of the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry attacked against the rebel support of Pickets Charge. The 18th attacked a stone wall of Texas troops, but failed to dislodge the rebels. Farnsworth was killed in the attack.
The following day, Kilpatrick led the Brigade to Monterey Springs and captured rebel artillery, prisoners & wagons.
Later, the 18th moved to Hagerstown and fought in the streets taking heavy losses. They chased Jeb Stuart to Boonesboro, Maryland fighting a running battle again.
For the rest of the fall, the 18th fought around Culpepper, Brandy Station and rested in camp around Winchester.
February 1864: the regiment was called out of winter quarters for an attack on Richmond, Virginia to rescue Union prisoners of war by General Kilpatrick. After the return of the Division and failure of the mission, General Wilson succeeded Kilpatrick and General M'Intosh was assigned to command the Brigade.
That summer, the 18th fought with the general movement of Grant's army. They fought at Wilderness, Spotsylvania and onward towards Petersburg.
The 18th participated in another raid on Richmond, this time under General Phillip Henry Sheridan and on May 11, 1864 caught Jeb Stuart's Cavalry. Jeb Stuart was wounded and died the following day.
During the summer of 1864, the 18th was engaged in the destruction of railroads south of Richmond. The regiment was then joined to General Wrights Sixth Corps for picket duty.
In June of 1864, the 18th drove the enemy from the Weldon Railroad around Petersburg, In August they embarked to Grant's headquarters at City Point, Virginia – then taken by ship to Washington and armed with Spencer Repeating Carbines and marched to Winchester to be under General Sheridan again.
They fought the 3rd Battle of Winchester & Fisher's Hill.
At Cedar Creek, October 1864, the Brigade was again fighting under Custer and in the battle of Cedar Creek crushed the right side of the Rebel Army under General Rosser, capturing all his artillery, ambulances and the wagon train.
Soon after, the 18th went into Camp at Harper's Ferry. It was given the job of delivering rebel prisoners to the Commanders at Winchester.
After the war was over, the 18th joined the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry and formed the Third Regular Pennsylvania Provisional Cavalry. Railey, who now had an I added to his last name served in Company H. This regiment patrolled Clarksburg, West Virginia looking for Partisans.
The regimant was mustered out in LaVale, Maryland on the 31st of October 1865. William served the entire 3 years of duty.
William Albright/Railey returned to Hyndman and married his wife, Sarah Elizabeth Ray Albright in 1866 and had 9 childen. He never learned to read or write. All of the documents are signed with an X – known as is mark.
William died on February 12, 1913 surrounded by his children and their spouses. His service records are all in the name of Raley or Railey. His children are all listed as Albrights in the Pension records. His son in law is listed as Bruck on the reimbursement records.
His tombstone with his service record is in the name of Albright.
What a remarkable service career !
Jeff Whetstone
I. Early Family History – Father/Mother – born where and when.
William was born on Feb. 2, 1844, son of William Albright & Hanna Railey. Hanna was originally from Cumberland. They were living in the Hyndman area. They were farmers – very poor, no education.
II. Description of Albright's marriage
William married Sarah Elizabeth Ray after the Civil War – in 1866 & they were living in Hyndman, Pa.
His home is listed on the 1877 Londonderry Township Map. They were also very poor – uneducated - farmers. They had 9 children, one being my Great Grandmother, Minnie Rebecca Albright Leonard.
III. William originally joined the 114th Virginia Militia from Hampshire County, then Virginia, across the Potomac River from Cumberland in what is now West Virginia around June of 1861.
Reason for joining the Confederates in 1861.
His Mother, Hanna, had Southern sympathies. The Militia members got to keep in value whatever was captured. Most militia soldiers were poor, uneducated country folk and this was a chance for adventure.
The Confederate Government issued Order #30.
The final section of General Order #30 provided:
"That for any arms and munitions of war captured from the enemy by any body of partisan rangers and delivered to any quartermaster at such place or places as may be designated by a commanding general, the rangers shall be paid their full value in such manner as the Secretary of War may prescribe".
The prospect of being paid for capturing enemy supplies
Was appealing to a Confederate Private or Militia soldier earning up to $12.00 a month.
So, at age 19, William Albright found himself a member of the 114th Virginia Militia sometime in June of 1863. It was listed that the 114th were unruly and drinkers of whiskey. They were not concerned with Confederate ideals. They had no real uniforms and had weapons brought from home.
The 114th Militia was joined into the 33rd Virginia Infantry – on June 17, 1861 – now known as the Potomac Guards from Hampshire County, Virginia. Company A.
Joining into the 33rd Virginia found Albright a member of Thomas Jonathan Jackson's famous "Foot Cavalry". Jackson was very strict. Drill, drill, & march up to 32 miles a day. The 33rd Virginia was in the Shenandoah Valley. At that time of the war, Jackson was under the Command of General Joseph E Johnston.
In July of 1861 – Johnston's troops were called to come to the Battle of First Bull Run. This battle was the first use of trains to transport men to the battle site. Albright fought on Henry Hill. It was listed that these men wore their regular clothes. They had not been issued uniforms. The 33rd Virginia was mistaken for Union troops as some of the 33rd had blue uniforms while others had no markings at all. This allowed them to capture Ricketts and Griffins Union Cannons on Henry Hill, the center of the battle and turn the battle into a Confederate victory.
During the battle, Albright would have been present to see "Jackson standing like a Stone Wall" at First Bull Run.
After the Battle, marching to Centerville, Va. to go into camp, William Albright and some other militia soldiers broke ranks and drank water out of puddles along the road. They had not been issued uniforms and equipment and had no canteens. For this infraction under Jackson, the men were arrested, loaded onto train cars and taken to Libby Prison at Richmond, Virginia.
There, he hung by his two thumbs in Libby Prison for 2 hours with just his toes touching the floor.
Returned to the 33rd Virginia later, these men were put on Picket Duty around Fairfax Court House, Virginia.
There, Albright was captured by Union soldiers patrolling the area. At night, Albright escaped his captors. Finding himself behind enemy lines, he turned north and made it back to Maryland. There, disgusted with Confederate service, he returned home to Hyndman, Pa.
IV.
After returning to Hyndman, he told stories of his adventures to the locals. Soon, a feeling of the excitement of battle and a chance of getting back at the Confederates led him to sign with the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry at Somerset on November 18th, 1862.
He enlisted as William Raley - listed as 19 years old, fair complexion, dark hair & dark eyes. He enlisted under the name of William Raley, his Mother's maiden name. His change of name was important because "Stonewall" Jackson was operating just across the Potomac River at Hancock, Maryland, Bath (Berkeley Springs), & Romney, Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley starting at Winchester, Virginia. During the Civil War, an ex-soldier or in this case, a deserter, would be hung or shot if captured.
Raley was officially mustered into service at Harrisburg, Pa. as a private in the 18th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, Company K.
The 18th was sent to Washington D.C. for camp and later proceeded to Fairfax Court House in early 1863. Drill, drill, drill was the order of the day.
The 18th was in the picket line covering the defense of Washington and scouting on the front. They had 5 months of duty at Fairfax.
Early in the spring of 1863, the 18th was associated with a brigade of Michigan troops under General George Armstrong Custer. The brigades were commanded by Brigadier General Julius Stahel.
In June of 1863, the 18th left Fairfax Court House and went to South Mountain near Sharpsburg, Md. General Stahel was replaced by General Judson Kilpatrick and the 18th joined the 3rd Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac.
General Elon Farnsworth was the new Brigade Commander of the 18th when the Brigade was in Hanover, Pennsylvania June 30th, 1863. Custer was also there with his new Michigan Brigade. A battle was fought with General Jeb Stuart. The battle of Gettysburg had begun.
On July 3rd, the Rebel Cavalry charged in the East Cavalry Field and was repulsed by Custer's Brigade. That evening, General Kilpatrick & General Elon J Farnsworth lead the Brigade to Bushmen's Hill beyond Big Round Top. On the 3rd day of the battle of Gettysburg, the famous charge of the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry attacked against the rebel support of Pickets Charge. The 18th attacked a stone wall of Texas troops, but failed to dislodge the rebels. Farnsworth was killed in the attack.
The following day, Kilpatrick led the Brigade to Monterey Springs and captured rebel artillery, prisoners & wagons.
Later, the 18th moved to Hagerstown and fought in the streets taking heavy losses. They chased Jeb Stuart to Boonesboro, Maryland fighting a running battle again.
For the rest of the fall, the 18th fought around Culpepper, Brandy Station and rested in camp around Winchester.
February 1864: the regiment was called out of winter quarters for an attack on Richmond, Virginia to rescue Union prisoners of war by General Kilpatrick. After the return of the Division and failure of the mission, General Wilson succeeded Kilpatrick and General M'Intosh was assigned to command the Brigade.
That summer, the 18th fought with the general movement of Grant's army. They fought at Wilderness, Spotsylvania and onward towards Petersburg.
The 18th participated in another raid on Richmond, this time under General Phillip Henry Sheridan and on May 11, 1864 caught Jeb Stuart's Cavalry. Jeb Stuart was wounded and died the following day.
During the summer of 1864, the 18th was engaged in the destruction of railroads south of Richmond. The regiment was then joined to General Wrights Sixth Corps for picket duty.
In June of 1864, the 18th drove the enemy from the Weldon Railroad around Petersburg, In August they embarked to Grant's headquarters at City Point, Virginia – then taken by ship to Washington and armed with Spencer Repeating Carbines and marched to Winchester to be under General Sheridan again.
They fought the 3rd Battle of Winchester & Fisher's Hill.
At Cedar Creek, October 1864, the Brigade was again fighting under Custer and in the battle of Cedar Creek crushed the right side of the Rebel Army under General Rosser, capturing all his artillery, ambulances and the wagon train.
Soon after, the 18th went into Camp at Harper's Ferry. It was given the job of delivering rebel prisoners to the Commanders at Winchester.
After the war was over, the 18th joined the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry and formed the Third Regular Pennsylvania Provisional Cavalry. Railey, who now had an I added to his last name served in Company H. This regiment patrolled Clarksburg, West Virginia looking for Partisans.
The regimant was mustered out in LaVale, Maryland on the 31st of October 1865. William served the entire 3 years of duty.
William Albright/Railey returned to Hyndman and married his wife, Sarah Elizabeth Ray Albright in 1866 and had 9 childen. He never learned to read or write. All of the documents are signed with an X – known as is mark.
William died on February 12, 1913 surrounded by his children and their spouses. His service records are all in the name of Raley or Railey. His children are all listed as Albrights in the Pension records. His son in law is listed as Bruck on the reimbursement records.
His tombstone with his service record is in the name of Albright.
What a remarkable service career !
Jeff Whetstone
The extraordinary history of William Albright / Raley is true, and he did fight on both sides, he was a witness to some of the most important people and events of the Civil War.
I. Early Family History – Father/Mother – born where and when.
William was born on Feb. 2, 1844, son of William Albright & Hanna Railey. Hanna was originally from Cumberland. They were living in the Hyndman area. They were farmers – very poor, no education.
II. Description of Albright's marriage
William married Sarah Elizabeth Ray after the Civil War – in 1866 & they were living in Hyndman, Pa.
His home is listed on the 1877 Londonderry Township Map. They were also very poor – uneducated - farmers. They had 9 children, one being my Great Grandmother, Minnie Rebecca Albright Leonard.
III. William originally joined the 114th Virginia Militia from Hampshire County, then Virginia, across the Potomac River from Cumberland in what is now West Virginia around June of 1861.
Reason for joining the Confederates in 1861.
His Mother, Hanna, had Southern sympathies. The Militia members got to keep in value whatever was captured. Most militia soldiers were poor, uneducated country folk and this was a chance for adventure.
The Confederate Government issued Order #30.
The final section of General Order #30 provided:
"That for any arms and munitions of war captured from the enemy by any body of partisan rangers and delivered to any quartermaster at such place or places as may be designated by a commanding general, the rangers shall be paid their full value in such manner as the Secretary of War may prescribe".
The prospect of being paid for capturing enemy supplies
Was appealing to a Confederate Private or Militia soldier earning up to $12.00 a month.
So, at age 19, William Albright found himself a member of the 114th Virginia Militia sometime in June of 1863. It was listed that the 114th were unruly and drinkers of whiskey. They were not concerned with Confederate ideals. They had no real uniforms and had weapons brought from home.
The 114th Militia was joined into the 33rd Virginia Infantry – on June 17, 1861 – now known as the Potomac Guards from Hampshire County, Virginia. Company A.
Joining into the 33rd Virginia found Albright a member of Thomas Jonathan Jackson's famous "Foot Cavalry". Jackson was very strict. Drill, drill, & march up to 32 miles a day. The 33rd Virginia was in the Shenandoah Valley. At that time of the war, Jackson was under the Command of General Joseph E Johnston.
In July of 1861 – Johnston's troops were called to come to the Battle of First Bull Run. This battle was the first use of trains to transport men to the battle site. Albright fought on Henry Hill. It was listed that these men wore their regular clothes. They had not been issued uniforms. The 33rd Virginia was mistaken for Union troops as some of the 33rd had blue uniforms while others had no markings at all. This allowed them to capture Ricketts and Griffins Union Cannons on Henry Hill, the center of the battle and turn the battle into a Confederate victory.
During the battle, Albright would have been present to see "Jackson standing like a Stone Wall" at First Bull Run.
After the Battle, marching to Centerville, Va. to go into camp, William Albright and some other militia soldiers broke ranks and drank water out of puddles along the road. They had not been issued uniforms and equipment and had no canteens. For this infraction under Jackson, the men were arrested, loaded onto train cars and taken to Libby Prison at Richmond, Virginia.
There, he hung by his two thumbs in Libby Prison for 2 hours with just his toes touching the floor.
Returned to the 33rd Virginia later, these men were put on Picket Duty around Fairfax Court House, Virginia.
There, Albright was captured by Union soldiers patrolling the area. At night, Albright escaped his captors. Finding himself behind enemy lines, he turned north and made it back to Maryland. There, disgusted with Confederate service, he returned home to Hyndman, Pa.
IV.
After returning to Hyndman, he told stories of his adventures to the locals. Soon, a feeling of the excitement of battle and a chance of getting back at the Confederates led him to sign with the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry at Somerset on November 18th, 1862.
He enlisted as William Raley - listed as 19 years old, fair complexion, dark hair & dark eyes. He enlisted under the name of William Raley, his Mother's maiden name. His change of name was important because "Stonewall" Jackson was operating just across the Potomac River at Hancock, Maryland, Bath (Berkeley Springs), & Romney, Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley starting at Winchester, Virginia. During the Civil War, an ex-soldier or in this case, a deserter, would be hung or shot if captured.
Raley was officially mustered into service at Harrisburg, Pa. as a private in the 18th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, Company K.
The 18th was sent to Washington D.C. for camp and later proceeded to Fairfax Court House in early 1863. Drill, drill, drill was the order of the day.
The 18th was in the picket line covering the defense of Washington and scouting on the front. They had 5 months of duty at Fairfax.
Early in the spring of 1863, the 18th was associated with a brigade of Michigan troops under General George Armstrong Custer. The brigades were commanded by Brigadier General Julius Stahel.
In June of 1863, the 18th left Fairfax Court House and went to South Mountain near Sharpsburg, Md. General Stahel was replaced by General Judson Kilpatrick and the 18th joined the 3rd Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac.
General Elon Farnsworth was the new Brigade Commander of the 18th when the Brigade was in Hanover, Pennsylvania June 30th, 1863. Custer was also there with his new Michigan Brigade. A battle was fought with General Jeb Stuart. The battle of Gettysburg had begun.
On July 3rd, the Rebel Cavalry charged in the East Cavalry Field and was repulsed by Custer's Brigade. That evening, General Kilpatrick & General Elon J Farnsworth lead the Brigade to Bushmen's Hill beyond Big Round Top. On the 3rd day of the battle of Gettysburg, the famous charge of the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry attacked against the rebel support of Pickets Charge. The 18th attacked a stone wall of Texas troops, but failed to dislodge the rebels. Farnsworth was killed in the attack.
The following day, Kilpatrick led the Brigade to Monterey Springs and captured rebel artillery, prisoners & wagons.
Later, the 18th moved to Hagerstown and fought in the streets taking heavy losses. They chased Jeb Stuart to Boonesboro, Maryland fighting a running battle again.
For the rest of the fall, the 18th fought around Culpepper, Brandy Station and rested in camp around Winchester.
February 1864: the regiment was called out of winter quarters for an attack on Richmond, Virginia to rescue Union prisoners of war by General Kilpatrick. After the return of the Division and failure of the mission, General Wilson succeeded Kilpatrick and General M'Intosh was assigned to command the Brigade.
That summer, the 18th fought with the general movement of Grant's army. They fought at Wilderness, Spotsylvania and onward towards Petersburg.
The 18th participated in another raid on Richmond, this time under General Phillip Henry Sheridan and on May 11, 1864 caught Jeb Stuart's Cavalry. Jeb Stuart was wounded and died the following day.
During the summer of 1864, the 18th was engaged in the destruction of railroads south of Richmond. The regiment was then joined to General Wrights Sixth Corps for picket duty.
In June of 1864, the 18th drove the enemy from the Weldon Railroad around Petersburg, In August they embarked to Grant's headquarters at City Point, Virginia – then taken by ship to Washington and armed with Spencer Repeating Carbines and marched to Winchester to be under General Sheridan again.
They fought the 3rd Battle of Winchester & Fisher's Hill.
At Cedar Creek, October 1864, the Brigade was again fighting under Custer and in the battle of Cedar Creek crushed the right side of the Rebel Army under General Rosser, capturing all his artillery, ambulances and the wagon train.
Soon after, the 18th went into Camp at Harper's Ferry. It was given the job of delivering rebel prisoners to the Commanders at Winchester.
After the war was over, the 18th joined the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry and formed the Third Regular Pennsylvania Provisional Cavalry. Railey, who now had an I added to his last name served in Company H. This regiment patrolled Clarksburg, West Virginia looking for Partisans.
The regimant was mustered out in LaVale, Maryland on the 31st of October 1865. William served the entire 3 years of duty.
William Albright/Railey returned to Hyndman and married his wife, Sarah Elizabeth Ray Albright in 1866 and had 9 childen. He never learned to read or write. All of the documents are signed with an X – known as is mark.
William died on February 12, 1913 surrounded by his children and their spouses. His service records are all in the name of Raley or Railey. His children are all listed as Albrights in the Pension records. His son in law is listed as Bruck on the reimbursement records.
His tombstone with his service record is in the name of Albright.
What a remarkable service career !
Jeff Whetstone
I. Early Family History – Father/Mother – born where and when.
William was born on Feb. 2, 1844, son of William Albright & Hanna Railey. Hanna was originally from Cumberland. They were living in the Hyndman area. They were farmers – very poor, no education.
II. Description of Albright's marriage
William married Sarah Elizabeth Ray after the Civil War – in 1866 & they were living in Hyndman, Pa.
His home is listed on the 1877 Londonderry Township Map. They were also very poor – uneducated - farmers. They had 9 children, one being my Great Grandmother, Minnie Rebecca Albright Leonard.
III. William originally joined the 114th Virginia Militia from Hampshire County, then Virginia, across the Potomac River from Cumberland in what is now West Virginia around June of 1861.
Reason for joining the Confederates in 1861.
His Mother, Hanna, had Southern sympathies. The Militia members got to keep in value whatever was captured. Most militia soldiers were poor, uneducated country folk and this was a chance for adventure.
The Confederate Government issued Order #30.
The final section of General Order #30 provided:
"That for any arms and munitions of war captured from the enemy by any body of partisan rangers and delivered to any quartermaster at such place or places as may be designated by a commanding general, the rangers shall be paid their full value in such manner as the Secretary of War may prescribe".
The prospect of being paid for capturing enemy supplies
Was appealing to a Confederate Private or Militia soldier earning up to $12.00 a month.
So, at age 19, William Albright found himself a member of the 114th Virginia Militia sometime in June of 1863. It was listed that the 114th were unruly and drinkers of whiskey. They were not concerned with Confederate ideals. They had no real uniforms and had weapons brought from home.
The 114th Militia was joined into the 33rd Virginia Infantry – on June 17, 1861 – now known as the Potomac Guards from Hampshire County, Virginia. Company A.
Joining into the 33rd Virginia found Albright a member of Thomas Jonathan Jackson's famous "Foot Cavalry". Jackson was very strict. Drill, drill, & march up to 32 miles a day. The 33rd Virginia was in the Shenandoah Valley. At that time of the war, Jackson was under the Command of General Joseph E Johnston.
In July of 1861 – Johnston's troops were called to come to the Battle of First Bull Run. This battle was the first use of trains to transport men to the battle site. Albright fought on Henry Hill. It was listed that these men wore their regular clothes. They had not been issued uniforms. The 33rd Virginia was mistaken for Union troops as some of the 33rd had blue uniforms while others had no markings at all. This allowed them to capture Ricketts and Griffins Union Cannons on Henry Hill, the center of the battle and turn the battle into a Confederate victory.
During the battle, Albright would have been present to see "Jackson standing like a Stone Wall" at First Bull Run.
After the Battle, marching to Centerville, Va. to go into camp, William Albright and some other militia soldiers broke ranks and drank water out of puddles along the road. They had not been issued uniforms and equipment and had no canteens. For this infraction under Jackson, the men were arrested, loaded onto train cars and taken to Libby Prison at Richmond, Virginia.
There, he hung by his two thumbs in Libby Prison for 2 hours with just his toes touching the floor.
Returned to the 33rd Virginia later, these men were put on Picket Duty around Fairfax Court House, Virginia.
There, Albright was captured by Union soldiers patrolling the area. At night, Albright escaped his captors. Finding himself behind enemy lines, he turned north and made it back to Maryland. There, disgusted with Confederate service, he returned home to Hyndman, Pa.
IV.
After returning to Hyndman, he told stories of his adventures to the locals. Soon, a feeling of the excitement of battle and a chance of getting back at the Confederates led him to sign with the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry at Somerset on November 18th, 1862.
He enlisted as William Raley - listed as 19 years old, fair complexion, dark hair & dark eyes. He enlisted under the name of William Raley, his Mother's maiden name. His change of name was important because "Stonewall" Jackson was operating just across the Potomac River at Hancock, Maryland, Bath (Berkeley Springs), & Romney, Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley starting at Winchester, Virginia. During the Civil War, an ex-soldier or in this case, a deserter, would be hung or shot if captured.
Raley was officially mustered into service at Harrisburg, Pa. as a private in the 18th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, Company K.
The 18th was sent to Washington D.C. for camp and later proceeded to Fairfax Court House in early 1863. Drill, drill, drill was the order of the day.
The 18th was in the picket line covering the defense of Washington and scouting on the front. They had 5 months of duty at Fairfax.
Early in the spring of 1863, the 18th was associated with a brigade of Michigan troops under General George Armstrong Custer. The brigades were commanded by Brigadier General Julius Stahel.
In June of 1863, the 18th left Fairfax Court House and went to South Mountain near Sharpsburg, Md. General Stahel was replaced by General Judson Kilpatrick and the 18th joined the 3rd Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac.
General Elon Farnsworth was the new Brigade Commander of the 18th when the Brigade was in Hanover, Pennsylvania June 30th, 1863. Custer was also there with his new Michigan Brigade. A battle was fought with General Jeb Stuart. The battle of Gettysburg had begun.
On July 3rd, the Rebel Cavalry charged in the East Cavalry Field and was repulsed by Custer's Brigade. That evening, General Kilpatrick & General Elon J Farnsworth lead the Brigade to Bushmen's Hill beyond Big Round Top. On the 3rd day of the battle of Gettysburg, the famous charge of the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry attacked against the rebel support of Pickets Charge. The 18th attacked a stone wall of Texas troops, but failed to dislodge the rebels. Farnsworth was killed in the attack.
The following day, Kilpatrick led the Brigade to Monterey Springs and captured rebel artillery, prisoners & wagons.
Later, the 18th moved to Hagerstown and fought in the streets taking heavy losses. They chased Jeb Stuart to Boonesboro, Maryland fighting a running battle again.
For the rest of the fall, the 18th fought around Culpepper, Brandy Station and rested in camp around Winchester.
February 1864: the regiment was called out of winter quarters for an attack on Richmond, Virginia to rescue Union prisoners of war by General Kilpatrick. After the return of the Division and failure of the mission, General Wilson succeeded Kilpatrick and General M'Intosh was assigned to command the Brigade.
That summer, the 18th fought with the general movement of Grant's army. They fought at Wilderness, Spotsylvania and onward towards Petersburg.
The 18th participated in another raid on Richmond, this time under General Phillip Henry Sheridan and on May 11, 1864 caught Jeb Stuart's Cavalry. Jeb Stuart was wounded and died the following day.
During the summer of 1864, the 18th was engaged in the destruction of railroads south of Richmond. The regiment was then joined to General Wrights Sixth Corps for picket duty.
In June of 1864, the 18th drove the enemy from the Weldon Railroad around Petersburg, In August they embarked to Grant's headquarters at City Point, Virginia – then taken by ship to Washington and armed with Spencer Repeating Carbines and marched to Winchester to be under General Sheridan again.
They fought the 3rd Battle of Winchester & Fisher's Hill.
At Cedar Creek, October 1864, the Brigade was again fighting under Custer and in the battle of Cedar Creek crushed the right side of the Rebel Army under General Rosser, capturing all his artillery, ambulances and the wagon train.
Soon after, the 18th went into Camp at Harper's Ferry. It was given the job of delivering rebel prisoners to the Commanders at Winchester.
After the war was over, the 18th joined the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry and formed the Third Regular Pennsylvania Provisional Cavalry. Railey, who now had an I added to his last name served in Company H. This regiment patrolled Clarksburg, West Virginia looking for Partisans.
The regimant was mustered out in LaVale, Maryland on the 31st of October 1865. William served the entire 3 years of duty.
William Albright/Railey returned to Hyndman and married his wife, Sarah Elizabeth Ray Albright in 1866 and had 9 childen. He never learned to read or write. All of the documents are signed with an X – known as is mark.
William died on February 12, 1913 surrounded by his children and their spouses. His service records are all in the name of Raley or Railey. His children are all listed as Albrights in the Pension records. His son in law is listed as Bruck on the reimbursement records.
His tombstone with his service record is in the name of Albright.
What a remarkable service career !
Jeff Whetstone
Family Members
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