The 1860 census shows a "Giles Lindsey" (born ca. 1838/39) living in Richland (Oswego Co.) N.Y. At the time he was a laborer on the farm of Robert S. Ingersoll, a wealthy banker.

Giles enlisted in Co.H, 17th Michigan Infanry at Hillsdale on 1 June 1862 (mustered on 19 Aug 1862). At the time, he gave his residence as Litchfield (about 10 miles NW of Hillsdale). He died of disease sometime in January 1864. At the time the regiment was in the vicinity of Knoxville, Tennessee operating against Longstreet's army.