Bennet Riley (or Bennett) (1790–June 6, 1853) was the seventh military governor of California, serving in 1849, before the territory became a U.S. state. Born in 1790 in St. Mary's County, Maryland, he led the first military escort along the Santa Fe Trail in 1829. During the Mexican War, Riley was colonel of the 2nd U.S. Infantry and fought at the siege of Veracruz and battle of Cerro Gordo. He was brevetted brigadier general and assumed command of the 2nd Brigade in David E. Twiggs's Second Division. He led his brigade at the battles of Contreras and Churubusco, where Winfield Scott gave him credit for the U.S. victory. He was appointed brevet major general fought at the Chapultepec. He is generally considered one of the ablest brigade commanders in the army during the war with Mexico. After the war he was placed in command of the Department of the Pacific and served as the military governor of California. He died in 1853 in Buffalo, New York. 1790 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... June 6 is the 157th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (158th in leap years), with 208 days remaining. ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 3rd 410,000 km² 402. ... 1849 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... A state of the United States (U.S. state) is any one of the fifty states, four of which officially favor the term commonwealth which, along with the District of Columbia, form the United States of America. ... 1790 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Saint Marys County is a county located in the state of Maryland. ... The Santa Fe Trail was a historic 19th century transportation route across southwestern North America connecting Missouri with Santa Fe, New Mexico. ... Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1829 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... The Mexican-American War was a war fought between the United States and Mexico between 1846 and 1848. ... The Battle of Veracruz was a 20-day siege of the key Mexican seaport of Veracruz, Veracruz, during the Mexican-American War. ... The Battle of Cerro Gordo was a battle of the Mexican-American War. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... David Emanuel Twiggs (1790 – July 15, 1862) was a United States soldier during the War of 1812 and Mexican War and a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. ... Battle of Contreras Conflict Mexican-American War Date August 20, 1847 Place Mexico City, D.F. Result U.S. victory The Battle of Contreras (also known, particularly in Mexico, as the Battle of Padierna) took place during the night of August 19–20 in the final encounters of the Mexican... Combatants United States Mexico Commanders Winfield Scott Antonio López de Santa Anna Manuel Rincón Strength 8,497 1,300 Casualties 133 killed 865 wounded 998 total 1,000 total {{{notes}}} The Battles of Churubusco took place on August 20, 1847, in the immediate aftermath of the Battle of... Winfield Scott Winfield Scott (June 13, 1786 – May 29, 1866) was a United States Army lieutenant general, diplomat, and presidential candidate. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Combatants United States Mexico Commanders Winfield Scott Nicolás Bravo Strength 7,200 16,000 Casualties 130 killed 703 wounded 29 missing 862 total 1,800 killed and wounded 823 captured 2,623 Total {{{notes}}} The Battle of Chapultepec took place in September 1847 during the Mexican-American War, at... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 3rd 410,000 km² 402. ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Official website: Buffalo, NY Location Location of Buffalo in New York State Government County Erie County Mayor Byron Brown Geographical characteristics Area Total 136. ...

Fort Riley and Riley County in Kansas are named for him.
Fort Riley is a census-designated place and United States Army post, in Northeast Kansas, on the Kansas River. ... Riley County (standard abbreviation: RL) is a county located in the state of Kansas. ... Official language(s) None Capital Topeka Largest city Wichita Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 15th 82,277 mi²; 213,096 km² 211 mi; 340 km 400 mi; 645 km 0. ...