Henry Ley

Name: Henry Ley Company: E, Field & Staff Veteran; enlisted in Company E; transferred to Non-Commissioned Staff as Regimental Bugler.
Birth Date: January 1823 Place: Saxony (Germany)	Mustered In Date: February 19, 1862 Rank: Private Age: 39 Residence prior to military service: Saxony (Germany); Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota Vocation prior to military service: Musician
Death Date: Place: Burial:	Mustered Out Date: September 6, 1865 Rank: Musician Age: about 42 Residence following military service: 617 Canada, St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota Vocation following military service: Painter

Henry Ley Biography and Civil War Narrative

Henry Ley was born January 1823 in Saxony (Germany). He came to America in 1852 at the age of 29. About 1854 he married Elizabeth (also known as Mary), who was born July 1836, also in Saxony. Elizabeth had come to America a year earlier in 1851.

The 1860 U.S. Census shows Henry "Lay" living in Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. He is a 37-year-old Musician with a real estate value of $500. Living with him are his 26-year-old wife Mary and his 5 -year-old son Frederick (born in Minnesota). Living next door to Henry and Mary was another musician from Germany, Theo Dammon, also age 37.

On February 19, 1862, 39-year-old Henry Ley enlisted in the 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infanry as a private in Company E. Being a musician, Ley was transferred to non-commissioned staff as Regimental Bugler. As Bugler, Ley performed the function of time-keeper for the regiment by sounding bugle calls throughout the day. These ranged from the morning wake-up calls at 5:00 or 6:00 am to Taps at the end of the day. The bugler also served as a vital communication link between the Colonel and the Regiment. He would recognize and interpret calls from other buglers--including enemy buglers. Calls from the Brigade Bugler were echoed to the Regiment; field musicians would then relay the message with the corresponding drum beat signals. Henry Ley re-enlisted as a veteran in early 1864 and was mustered out with the Regiment on September 6, 1865.

In 1900, Henry and Elizabeth Ley--now ages 77 and 63--live at 617 Canada in St. Paul. Henry is listed as a Painter who had been unemployed for 12 months. Elizabeth has had 11 children, 8 of whom are still living. Two boarders live with them. In 1910, the Leys continue to live in the same house. At ages 87 and 75, two more of their children have died.

Here are some links to more information about buglers in the Civil War:

[5th Minnesota Home] [Company E] [Field & Staff] [Tim Bode] [Tim Bode's Music Page]

This page is maintained by Tim Bode (timbode@juno.com ). Page created on 7/6/09. Last modified on 7/6/09.