Pvt Torrey enlisted into the US Army on November 12, 1872 at Boston MA. He was described as 5'4", gray eyes, light hair and fair complexion. His civilian occupation was listed as bootmaker.

On December 10, 1872, Torrey reported for duty with the 7th US Cavalry at Unionville, SC. He was assigned to Company E (Also known as the Gray Horse Troop, because of the gray horses they would later ride).

At the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Company E was attached the LTC George Armstrong Custer's battalion. Sometime during the fighting Torrey was killed.

After the battle his body was not identified. It is likely that his remains were first buried, where they had been found.

In 1881 all known battlefield burials were moved to a mass grave on Last Stand Hill.

Battlefield research and Lakota/Cheyenne accounts of the battle have revealed evidence that Company E conducted a well organized & hard fought rearguard action to cover the retreat of Company F and Headquarters Group towards Last Stand Hill.

On January 5, 1877, Torry's mother was awarded a survivor's pension.

William A Torrey