He was born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania (2). He was born in 1839/40 (2 (24 in 1864)).
When he enlisted, he was a farmer (2).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 7 inches tall, had a dark complexion, dark eyes, and dark hair (2).
He was mustered into service as a recruit [i.e. a volunteer?] for three years on 21 January 1864, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 2). He was enlisted by Lieutenant Shipley, and was mustered into service by Lieutenant Hiderburn (2). He was a private, in company E (1, 5).
He was wounded in action on 1 June 1864 at Cold Harbor, Virginia (Bethesda Church), while the regiment was getting into line (1, 2).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1). He was a private, in company E (5).
His widow, Josephine Gleason, applied successfully for a pension on 17 December 1870 (3, 4).
His minor dependent, Josephine Freeborn, applied successfully for a pension on 17 July 1876 (3, 4).
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)
2 Company E descriptive roll, entry 116 (James Gleason)
3 Pension index, by name. Searched 3 February 2001, on Ancestry.
4 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company E (James Gleason)
5 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (James Gleason)