Michael enlisted at Livonia, Michigan, at the age of 23 for 3 years of service in the 7th Michigan Infantry, Company F on February 10, 1864. He was reported as Missing in Action on May 11, 1864. Then reported as taken prisoner at Hanover Junction, Virginia, on May 25, 1864. He was confined at Andersonville prison until paroled on March 2, 1865, weighing 90 lbs and discharged from the service at Camp Chase, Ohio, on June 27, 1865. He was a previous member of the 34th New York Infantry, Company B enlisting at Little Falls, New York, on May 1, 1861. He was taken prisoner on June 30, 1862 and then paroled. He was discharged when the 34th was disbanded on June 20, 1863. [His surname was also miss-spelled as Ritchie]John [his surname is miss-spelled in the records as Richley] was from Cottrelville [Marine City], Michigan, and enlisted in the 22nd Michigan Infantry, Company E at Newport, Michigan, on July 30, 1862, for 3 years service at the age of 20. He took the muster oath on August 22, 1862. He was wounded in action at Chickamauga, Georgia, on September 20, 1863, reportedly shot in the face while reloading his rifle during the Confederate assault He was transferred to the Veteran reserve Corps on April 10, 1864, where he served as a train guard and was discharged at Jackson, Michigan, on July 17, 1865, from Company C of the 2nd Regiment, Veteran reserve Corps.
These brothers both came from Ulm, Wurtenburg Province, Germany with their parents in 1854. Both lived in Marine City, Michigan. John married and lived out his life there. Michael moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where remained with his wife and daughters until his death.