He was born in 1844/45, in Ireland. [sources: date: 2 (18 in 1863). place: 2]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 5 inches tall, and had hazel eyes, brown hair, and a light complexion. [source: 2]
On 4 June 1863, he enlisted and was mustered in, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was enlisted by Captain C N Cadwalader of the 112th Pennsylvania Infantry. His guardian, William Jackson, gave permission for him to enlist. He passed a medical exam conducted by J K Mason; he had had smallpox. He was a private, but was not assigned to a company. He wasn't paid any bounty. [sources: 1, 2]
On 9 June 1863, he was listed on a muster and descriptive roll of a detachment of US volunteers forwarded for the 91st Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry.
He was not listed on any of the company muster rolls [source: 2]
1 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Thomas Dolan)
2 compiled service record, 91st Pennsylvania infantry (Thomas Dolan)
I. Thomas Dolan born in - in the State of Ireland aged Eighteen years, and by occupation a Broommaker DO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE to have volunteered this Fourth day of June 1863, to serve as a Soldier in the Army of the United States of America, for the period of THREE YEARS, unless sooner discharged by proper authority: Do also agree to accept such bounty, pay, rations, and clothing, as are, or may be, established by law for volunteers. And I, Thomas Dolan do solemnly swear, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whomsoever; and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War.
I CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That I have carefully examined the above named Volunteer, agreeably to the General Regulations of the Army, and that in my opinion he is free from all bodily defects and mental infirmity, which would, in any way, disqualify him from performing the duties of a soldier.
J K MasonI CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That I have minutely inspected the Volunteer, Thomas Dolan previously to his enlistment, and that he was entirely sober when enlisted; that, to the best of my judgment and belief, he is of lawful age; and that, in accepting him as duly qualified to perform the duties of an able-bodied soldier, I have strictly observed the Regulations which govern the recruiting service. This soldier has Hazel eyes, Brown hair, Light complexion, is five feet five inches high.
I, Thomas Dolan desiring to VOLUNTEER as a Soldier in the Army of the United States, for the term of THREE YEARS, Do declare, That I am Eighteen years and - months of age; that I have never been discharged from the United States service on account of disability or by sentence of a court-martial, or by order before the expiration of a term of enlistment; and I know of no impediment to my serving honestly and faithfully as a soldier for three years.
GIVEN at Philada Pa