He was born in 1839/40 (9 (21 in 1861), 10 (23 in 1863)). He was born in Ireland (9, 10).
When he enlisted, he was a moulder (9, 10).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 5 inches tall, and had a light complexion, gray eyes, and light hair (9, 10 [5'5-1/2"]).
He enlisted and mustered into service on 23 September 1861 (1, 8, 9). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Smith (9). He was a corporal in company F (1, 13).
On 26 June 1862, he was in Prince-Street Hospital, Alexandria, Virginia (11). He had typhoid fever (11).
He was promoted on 5 August 1862 from corporal to fifth sergeant (1 [5 Aug 63], 8 [5 Aug 63], 9 [5 Aug 62]).
On 19 April 1863, he was sent to the corps hospital (3).
He was initially listed on the plaque recording men who fought at the Battle of Gettysburg, but his name was later deleted (12).
He was detailed to work with conscripts, on 29 August 1863 (2, 4).
He returned to duty on 23 September 1863 (5).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 24 December 1863 (1, 10). He was enlisted for three years, at Bealton, Virginia, by Lieutenant W H Carpenter (10).
He deserted from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 8 April 1864 (1, 7 [28 Apr], 9 [28 Apr], 10 [28 Apr]). He was dropped as a deserter on 28 April 1864 (6). He was a sergeant, in company F (13).
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 special order 65, HQ 91st PA, 29 August 1863
3 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 24 April 1863 (Sergt OConnell)
4 consolidated morning report, HQ 91st PA, 30 August 1863 (Sergt Oconnell)
5 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 23 September 1863 (Serg O Connell)
6 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 28 April 1864 (Srgt OConnell)
7 company F, register of deserters, #27 (Daniel Connell)
8 company F, list of non-commissioned officers (Daniel OConnell)
9 company F, descriptive roll, #10 (Daniel OConnell)
10 company F, second descriptive roll, #2 (Daniel OConnell)
11 'The sick and wounded Pennsylvania soldiers in Washington', Philadelphia Press Saturday 28 June 1862, page 1 (Daniel O'Connell)
12 card, with the original version of the 91st PA plaque on the Pennsylvania memorial at Gettysburg (from the papers of William C Reiff; thanks to Susan Stickles!) (Daniel O'Connell)
13 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Daniel O'Connell)