Thanks to Joe Fulginiti for this image
He was born in 1839/40, in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. [sources: date: 12 (21 in 1861), 21 (38 in 1880), 24 (45 at death in 1886?), 31 (18 in 1860). place: 21, 24, 31]
In 1850, he was living in Elizabeth, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his (presumed) parents CF and Elizabethy Diehl, his (presumed) siblings Sarah and Charles Diehl, with James Diehl (perhaps a cousin?), and two other people. His father was a merchant, and owned $4,000 in real estate. [source: 36]
In 1860, he was living in ward 15, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his (presumed) parents C F and Elizabeth Deal, his (presumed) siblings Sarah and Charles Deal, and with a servant (31). His father was a merchant, but did not report owning and real estate. [source: 31]
When he enlisted, he was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 12]
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 7 October 1861. He enlisted at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was mustered in as a first lieutenant, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Dye. He was first lieutenant in company D. [sources: 1, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 27, 28, 29]
On an undated recruiting poster, he is listed as company D's first lieutenant. [source: 13]
On 29 June 1862, he, along with the other commissioned officers in the regiment (except Colonel Gregory), signed a statement denying accusations that they were on the verge of open mutiny, that the regiment had been reduced to 400 men, and that Colonel Gregory was too lenient to Confederates and too harsh to men in the regiment. [source: 17]
Brigadier General Tyler detailed him as aide-de-camp on 4 November 1862. He was still detailed there on 7 February 1863, 28 August 1863, 14 November 1863, and 7 March 1864. [sources: 4 (28 Aug 63), 5 (14 Nov 63), 6 (7 Mar 63), 10 (7 Feb 63), 24]
While serving as Brigadier General Tyler's Aide during the Battle of Fredericksburg, he conveyed to Colonel Gregory (commanding the 91st PA) and to Lieutenant-Colonel Rowe (commanding the 126th PA) orders to retreat across the river. When Colonel Gregory did not want to leave until his detached company E returned, he assured Colonel Gregory that the order had been conveyed to Captain Lentz. Unfortunately, he was wrong. [source: 22]
On 30 January 1863, Andrew Brown wrote his father and sister that C F Diehl (apparently the father of James B Diehl) was holding $45 for them. Presumably Brown sent the money with James B Diehl on a visit home. Brown usefully notes that 'Diehl' was pronounced 'Deal'. The address was 624 North 16th Street, above Wallace, between Coates and Green. [source: 30]
On 3 May 1863, he was present at the Battle of Chancellorsville. General Tyler sent him to tell Colonel Gregory to advance. When he learned that Gregory had been injured, he told Major Lentz, who found Lieutenant Colonel Sinex, and informed him, about 10-15 minutes before the regiment retreated. [source: 26]
He was commissioned captain on 16 December 1863, but he refused the commission. [source: 12]
On 4 July 1864, he was the only commissioned officer in company D, which had 37 enlisted men present for duty, and a total of 74 enlisted men. (He was absent, on detached service.) [sources: 7, 37]
He was discharged on 24 July 1864 on surgeon's certificate of disability, by special order 186, War Department, 25 July 1864. He was still aide-de-camp to Brigadier General Tyler when he resigned. He was first lieutenant, of company D. [sources: 1, 2 (resigned), 7 (25 Jul), 8, 9 (25 Jul), 12 (24 Jul), 15 (25 Jul), 24 (25 Jul), 27, 28, 29]
He married Mary G [unknown family name], perhaps in 1862/63. She was born in February 1844, in Pennsylvania. They apparently had six children, including these:
[sources: 21, 34 (37 yrs married, but it's crossed out; 6 children, 2 living in 1900), 35 (6 children 1 living in 1910)]
He was an original member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. [source: 16]
From 1870 through 1872, he was living at 502 Spruce, and working with his father in C F Diehl & Son. [source: 32]
On 11 December 1872, he was mustered into George G Meade Post, Number 1, Department of Pennsylvania, of the Grand Army of the Republic. [source: 24]
In 1880, he was living on 1735 Lambert Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a clerk. He was living with his wife Mary, and his daughters Geneve and Mabel. [source: 21]
He died on 23 March 1886. He was still a member of the George Meade Post, GAR, which made "a liberal donation" for the funeral expenses. He was buried in the National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, section 13 site 13,650. Lincoln Post, number 3, Department of the Potomac, GAR, provided full GAR services. [sources: 24 (26 Mar 1886 (?)), 25 (23 Mar 1886)]
He worked in the Post Office Department (presumably of the GAR). For six or seven months before his death, he couldn't work because of his illness, and his daughter had worked for him. After his death, the George Meade Post Number One supported her permanent appointment to the job, and she was appointed. [source: 24]
On 13 November 1886, his widow, Mary G Diehl, applied successfully from Washington DC for a pension. Her pension certificate was dated 9 September 1887, and she received a pension of $17 per month, retroactive to 13 November 1886. [sources: 14, 23, 33]
In 1900, his widow, Mary G Diehl, was living at 2011 Twelfth Street, Washington, DC. She was living with her daughter Genevra and son William B. [source: 34]
In 1910, his widow, Mary G Diehl, was living at 50 Rhode Island Avenue, precinct 10, Washington, DC. She was living with her daughter Genevra and a boarder. [source: 35]
On 30 January 1916, his widow, Mary G Diehl, died. [source: 33]
On 21 August 1916, a reimbursement order was issued, payable to Genevra B DIehl, 50 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington DC. [source: 33]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster.)
3 Thomas F Walter. 'Personal recollections and experiences of an obscure soldier'. Grand Army Scout and Soldiers' Mail volume 3 number 45 page 2. [Possible reference]
4 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 28 August 1863
5 letter, Gregory to Marvin, 14 November 1863
6 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 7 March 1864
7 letter, Sellers to [unnamed] Captain, 4 July 1864
8 special order 184, HQ Middle Department, Eighth Army Corps, Baltimore, 25 July 1864 (James B Diehl)
9 regimental descriptive book (James B Diehl)
10 consolidated morning report, 7 February 1863
11 company D, list of commissioned officers (James B Diehl)
12 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 30 July 2004 (James B Diehl)
13 recruiting poster, company D, Colonel Gregory's regiment (Jas B Diehl)
14 pension index, by name (James B Diehl)
15 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 1 August 1864 (J B Diehl)
16 "Original Companions of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States" (James B Diehl)
17 'Ninety-first Pennsylvania Regiment'. Philadelphia Inquirer, 11 July 1862, page 2 (James B Diehl)
18 'Camp Chase at Gray's Ferry' Philadelphia Inquirer 19 October 1861 page 8 (- Drihl)
19 'Camp Chase', Philadelphia Inquirer 30 November 1861 (JB Diehl)
20 'Departure of Col. Gregory's regiment', Philadelphia Inquirer 22 January 1862 page 2 (JB Diehl)
21 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 629, microfilm series T9, film 1188, page 254 C= 27 handwritten (James B Diehl)
22 court-martial record, trial of James B Bonsall, 3 January 1863, and trial of D B Baker, 3 January 1863, National Archives, Record Group 153 (Judge Advocate General, Army), file KK691; and court-martial record, trial of James B Bonsall, 12 January 1863, and trial of D B Baker, 12 January 1863, National Archives, Record Group 153 (Judge Advocate General, Army), file KK664 (Lieutenant Diehl)
23 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company D (James B Diehl)
24 History of George Meade Post Number One , page 221 [image 463 of 560 on Google Books] (James B Diehl)
25 FindAGrave memorial 32158965 (accessed 20 September 2010) (James Barr Diehl) [identification confirmed by reference to his service]
26 National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 153: Records of the Office of the Judge Advocate General (Army), 1792-1982, general court martial, 25 May 1863 (Lieut Diehl)
27 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (James B Deihl)
28 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (James B Deihle)
29 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (James B Diehl)
30 letter, Andrew Brown to his father and sister, 30 January 1863, in his father's pension certificate file (WC 134,972) (C F Diehl)
31 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 15, microfilm series M653, film 1165, page 146 = 146 handwritten (FamilySearch) (James B Deal)
32 select city directories, transcribed 26 December 2014, from Fold3
33 Veterans administration, pension payment cards 1907-1933 (James B Diehl)
34 1900 US census, Washington DC, microfilm series T623, film 160, enumeration district 53, page 129 = 14 A handwritten (FamilySearch) (Mary G Diehl)
35 1910 US census, Washington, DC, precinct 10, microfilm series T624, film 155, page 17 = 1 A handwritten (FamilySearch) (Mary G Diehl)
36 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Elizabeth, microfilm series M432, film 747, page 146 recto = 291 handwritten (FamilySearch) (James Diehl)
| 1st enumeration | 2nd enumeration | 1871 city directory | ||||||
| page | dwelling | family | name | occupation | page | # | name | 1871 Gopsill's |
| 86 | 541 | 798 | Margaret Davison [??] | none listed | ? | [Ancestry has 'Derman'; I couldn't find either] | ||
| ? | 21 | 512 | Margaret & Geo W Downs [?] | ? | ||||
| 86 | 541 | 799 | Joseph L Osler | coal dealer | 21 | 512 | Jos L Osler | 'Osler Joseph L, coal, 323 Walnut, h 512 Spruce' (p.1107) |
| 86 | 542 | 800 | Andrew Allison | liquor dealer | 22 | 510 | Andrew Allison | 'Allison Andrew, liquors, 212 S Front, h 510 Spruce' (p.145) |
| [no entry] | [no entry] | 'Smith Jacob, h 510 N 10th' (p.1311) | ||||||
| 86 | 543 | 801 | James Young | real estate agent | 22 | 508 | James Young | 'Young James, real estate, 508 Spruce' (p.1531) |
| 86 | 543 | 801 | Andrew J Young | real estate agent | 22 | 508 | Andrew Young | 'Young Andrew J., clerk, 508 Spruce' (p.1529) |
| [no entry] | 22 | 506 | Martin Richard | [no entry--Martin Richard at 4414 Harrison Myk p.1190] | ||||
| [no entry] | 22 | 506 | Henry Paul (15) and Evelin (35) Truefitt | 'Truefitt Henry P., clk, 212 Church, h 506 Spruce' (p.1411) | ||||
| 86 | 544 | 802 | Elizabeth Baylitts [?] | none listed | 22 | 504 | [no entry] | 'Baylitts Elizabeth, wid Davis B., h 504 Spruce' (p.196) |
| [no entry] | 22 | 504 | Elizabeth Vales | [no entry] | ||||
| 86 | 544 | 802 | Elizabeth Buctchor [??] | none listed | 22 | 504 | Lizzie Buckman | [Ancestry has 'Buchskor'; I couldn't find either, but 'Buckmann Benjamin B., carpener, h 504 Spruce' on p.288) |
| [no entry] | [no entry] | 'Cunningham Theodore H., salesman, 409 Market, h 504 Spruce' (p.409) | ||||||
| 86 | 544 | 802 | John T King | editor | 22 | 504 | John [?] King | [no entry] |
| 86 | 545 | 803 | Eugene Duffy (56) with Ann (48) | none listed | 22 | 502 | Eunue [??] Duffy | 'Duffy Eugene, liquors, 301 S Water, h 502 Spruce' (p.477) |
| 87 | 546 | 804 | William James | artist | [no entry] | [no entry] | ||
| 87 | 546 | 804 | Geo W Crossland [?] | confectioner | 22 | 500 | Geo W Crosland | 'Crosland George W., confectioner, S 5th c Spruce' (p.402) |
On April 5th, a communication was received from Headquarters, Department of the Potomac, G.A.R., announcing the death of Comrade James B. Diehl, of this Post. The comrade had been employed in the Post Office Department, and for six or seven months his severe illness prevented him from attending to his duties, but the officials of that department had accepted his daughter as his substitute, and now the Department of the Potomac, G.A.R., desired the influence of this Post to secure for her the permanent appointment to the vacancy caused by her father's death. This Post at once adopted strong resolutions, endorsing her for the appointment, and a copy was sent to the Assistant Adjutant General of the Department of the Potomac, G.A.R., and the appointment was made. The Charity Committee of this Post made a liberal donation towards the funeral expenses of our late comrade, and he was buried with full Grand Army services by Lincoln Post, No. 3, Department of the Potomac, in the National Cemetery, at Arlington.
James B. Diehl was born in Elizabeth, State of Pennsylvania. Entered the service as First Lieutenant, Co. D, Ninety-first Regiment, Pa. Volunteers, on the 7th day of October, 1861, served as Aide de Camp, and was discharged, as First Lieutenant, July 25, 1864. He was mustered into George G. Meade Post, No. 1, Department of Pennsylvania, G.A.R., December 11, 1872. Held the office of Adjutant and Officer of the Day, and died March 26, 1886 [?], aged 45 years. Buried in National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
| line | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| Dwellings visited | 2 | |||||||
| Families visited | 2 | |||||||
| Name | C. F. Diehl | Elizabeth " | Sarah " | James " | Charles " | James " | John McKinly | Elizbaeth Namlo |
| Age | 38 | 33 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 3/12 | 23 | 18 |
| Sex | M | F | F | M | M | M | M | F |
| Color | ||||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Merchant | Cork | ||||||
| Real estate owned | 4000 | |||||||
| Birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
| Married within year | ||||||||
| Attended school within year | ||||||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | ||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| Dwelling number | 925 | |||||
| Family number | 873 | |||||
| Name | C. F. Deal | Elizabeth " | Sarah " | James B " | Charles " | Maria McCurdy |
| Age | 43 | 40 | 20 | 18 | 10 | 21 |
| Sex | M | F | F | M | M | F |
| Color | ||||||
| Occupation | Merchant | Servant | ||||
| Value of real estate owned | ||||||
| Value of personal estate | ||||||
| Place of birth | " [sc. Pennsylvania] | " | " | " | " | Ireland |
| Married within year | ||||||
| Attended school within year | ||||||
| Cannot read & write | ||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 |
| street name | Lambert Street | |||
| house number | 1735 | |||
| dwelling visit # | 195 | |||
| family visit # | 214 | |||
| name | Diehl, James B | - Mary G [?] | - Geneve B | - Mabel [?] |
| color | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | F | F |
| age | 38 | 36 | 12 | 9 |
| month born if born in year | ||||
| relationship | wife | daughter | daughter | |
| single | 1 | 1 | ||
| married | 1 | 1 | ||
| widowed/divorced | ||||
| married during year | clerk | keeping house | at school | at school |
| occupation | ||||
| months unemployed | ||||
| currently ill? | ||||
| blind | ||||
| deaf/dumb | ||||
| idiotic | ||||
| insane | ||||
| disabled | ||||
| school this year | 1 | 1 | ||
| can't read | ||||
| can't write | ||||
| birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
| father's birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
| mother's birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
| line | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| street | Twelfth street | ||
| house number | 2011 | ||
| dwelling number | 214 | ||
| family number | 252 | ||
| name | Diehl Mary G | - Genevra | - William B |
| relationship | Head | Daughter | Son |
| color | W | W | W |
| sex | F | F | M |
| birth date | Feb 1844 | May 1868 | Sept 1880 |
| age | 56 | 32 | 19 |
| married? | Wd | S | S |
| # years married | 37 | ||
| mother of how many children? | 6 | ||
| # of children living | 2 | ||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| immigration year | |||
| # years in USA | |||
| naturalized citizen? | |||
| occupation | NO [?[] | Government clerk | Clerk - Bldg Assn |
| # months not employed | 0 | 0 | |
| # months in school | |||
| can read | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| can write | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| speaks English | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| owned/rented | R | ||
| free or mortgaged | |||
| farm/house | H | ||
| # of farm schedule | |||
| line | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| street | Rhode Is [?] | ||
| house nr | 50 | ||
| dwelling nr | 2 | ||
| family nr | 2 | ||
| name | Diehl Mary G | - Genevra B | Charnis Leon |
| relationship | Head | Daughter | Boarder |
| sex | F | F | M |
| color | W | W | W |
| age | 66 | 41 | 41 |
| marital status | Wd | S | S |
| #years present marriage | |||
| mother of # children | 6 | ||
| mother of # living children | 1 | ||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Switzerland (French) |
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylania | Switzerland (French) |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Switzerland (French) |
| immigrated | |||
| naturalized/alien | |||
| speaks English | English | English | English |
| occupation | None | Clerk | Clerk |
| nature of industry etc. | Marter [???] Bureau | War Dept | |
| employer etc. | W | W | |
| out of work 15 Apr 1910? | No | No | |
| # weeks out of work 1909 | 0 | 0 | |
| can read | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| can write | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| school since 1 Sep 09 | |||
| owned/rented | R [??] | ||
| owned free or mortagaged | |||
| farm/house | H | ||
| nr on farm schedule | |||
| civil war vet | |||
| blind | |||
| deaf & dumb | |||
| ISSUES. | |||
| CLASS. | RATE. | DATE OF COMMENCEMENT. | DATE OF CERTIFICATE. |
| 17 | 13. Nov. 1886 | 9 Sept. 1887 | |