From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (PIONEERS & PATRIOTS: Anderson County Military Servicemen, Revolutionary War - WWI)

Riley, Dudley

(born: c. 1834) Dudley Riley was born a slave in Anderson County, KY about 1834. He remained a slave into adulthood; President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation only freed slaves in states openly hostile toward the Union. Late in the war, however, the government called for the enlistment of colored regiments, and all who answered the call were granted immediate freedom.

Riley therefore decided to become a soldier and  made his way to Camp Nelson to enlist: on October 11, 1864 he was enrolled as a private in Company F of the 12th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery Regiment. At the time of his enlistment, Dudley gave oath that he was born about 1834 in Anderson County, KY.

The 12th regiment saw no reported action during the war, serving garrison duty at various points in Central Kentucky until April 24, 1866, when it was discharged and mustered from Federal service.

Contributor

Entries compiled by Anderson County Historical Society's Luther Allen Davenport.

Kentucky County & Region

Read about Anderson County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.
Read about Jessamine County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Kentucky Place (Town or City)

Read about Camp Nelson, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Cite This NKAA Entry:

“Riley, Dudley,” Notable Kentucky African Americans Database, accessed October 11, 2026, https://nkaa.uky.edu/nkaa/items/show/300005336.

Last modified: 2026-01-21 20:28:49