Thomas Ruddy was born to Michael Ruddy and Catherine (Gibbons) Ruddy in Liverpool England in July of 1836. He came to the United States with his family between that time and the birth of his sister, Mary Ann, in New York City in 1845. June 22, 1857 Thomas enlisted in Company A of the 5th US Regular Infantry as part of recruiting for an expedition into Utah. Thomas is found in the 1860 US Census in Alburquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico. March 28, 1862 'A' company fought at Apache Cañon, NM and April 15, 1862 at Peralta, NM. Thomas mustered out of the unit on June 22, 1862. On September 20, 1862 at Fort Scott, Kansas he enlisted in Company 'M' of the Wisconsin 3rd Cavalry. Thomas received a pension in 1890 and died May 5, 1908 in the Old Soldier's Home, Milwaukee, WI.

Enl.April 1, 1857 at NYC as Music Boy (drummer) Co. B, 5th U.S. Infantry. Disch. April 7, 1862 at Fort Craig, NM, a private; Re-enl.Dec 8, 1862 at NYC in Band, 7th U.S. Infantry, disch. Dec 8. 1865 at Tallahassee, FL. Brother Thomas,principal musician, served w/Co. F, 17th CT; brother John, fifer, served w/Co. D, 5th US and Co. D 17th CT,prisoner at Andersonville; brother James, private, served w/Co. I, 17th CT died Brook's Station, VA; father James Henry served as private, 7th US Infantry, Mexican War. Places associated with this Hearn family: Co. Cork, Ireland; New York, NY; Bridgeport, CT; Hartford, CT; North Stonington, CT; Ashaway, RI; and Wilmington, DE

Finley enlisted in the Regular Army on June 29, 1860 stationed at Camp Floyd, Utah Territory. He enlisted in Co B, 5th Infantry. In July 1864 he was stationed at Ft Stanton, New Mexico Territory as a cook.

He was discharged from the 3rd Infantry on Sep 17 1870 at Cincinnati, OH.