Charles Riggs was born in Lyons, NY in 1835. In 1837 his family moved to Iowa, settling near Delmar in Clinton County. In 1861 he enlisted with Iowa's Second Cavalry and was elected orderly sergeant of Company L. In 1863 he was promoted to captain of Company K of the Second West Tennessee Infantry (African Descent). In August of 1864 this unit became Company K of the 61st U.S. Colored Infantry. After the war Riggs purchased property near Sunflower Landing, Tennessee and lived there for 3 years before returning to Iowa. He married Jeannette Sharp and the family moved to a farm near Sioux City, Iowa in 1881. Charles lived there until his death in 1909.
From the description of Charles R. Riggs collection of Civil War papers and artifacts, 1861-1908, bulk 1861-1865. (Iowa Sate Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 58451576
