William Herryman was mustered into service as a seaman on January 1st, 1862 with Captain Henry Mulrenan’s Florida Volunteer Coast Guards; on January 9th, 1862 he was assigned to the crew of the Mary Jane.

He remained in this unit until mustered into Confederate service on April 25th, 1862 when he was enlisted as a Private in Captain Smith’s Company (Key West Avengers), 7th Regiment Florida Infantry by Major R. B. Thomas at Tampa, Florida for a period of 3 years or the war.

He was present on all rolls until detached for duty to the city police at Knoxville, Tennessee since December 22nd. 1862. After that duty, he was reported present on all subsequent muster rolls until November 25th, 1863 when he is reported missing in action at Missionary Ridge.

He is reported present at the Federal Military Prison at Louisville, Kentucky, as a prisoner of war captured at Missionary Ridge on December 8th, 1863. He was transferred to the military Prison at Rock Island Barracks, Illinois the following day, and arrived there prior to January 4th, 1864.

He took the “Oath of Allegiance” and was released on March 18th, 1864, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy on March 23rd, 1864.