William Henley enlisted as a private in Company A, 29th Missouri Infantry, on August 21, 1862, at St. Louis, Missouri; he mustered in with the regiment on September 5, 1862, at Benton Barracks. On September 6, 1862, Henley was promoted to second lieutenant and re-assigned to Company K; promoted to first lieutenant on February 3, 1864, he returned to Company A. Promoted to captain on October 25, 1864, Henley was assigned to command Company E.

The 29th Missouri Infantry fought in numerous battles, including Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, and Missionary Ridge, and through the Atlanta campaign, Sherman’s “March to the Sea” and the Carolinas campaign, and at Bentonville.

Henley mustered out with the regiment on September 29, 1865.

Carte-de-Visite by Unknown Photographer.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 11664