[1][2] When the American Civil War broke out, Baily assisted with mustering soldiers and finally became captain of what would become the 8th Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment on June 20, 1861, at Company I.

[4] During the Battle of Gaines' Mill, Baily was severely wounded in the face and had to be carried back to Washington, D.C.

Despite his surgeon telling him that he was unfit for battle by the time the Maryland campaign broke out, Baily was willing to command the regiment again through sheer determination.

[1] However, Baily got wounded again at the Battle of Fredericksburg but was promoted to Colonel on March 1, 1863, for his previous service at South Mountain and Antietam.

[4] After the war, Baily returned to his jeweler career as he opened a jewelry store at Uniontown, Pennsylvania.