He was born in 1839/40, in New York City, New York. [source: date: 2 (22 in 1862). place: 2]
When he enlisted, he was a clerk. [source: 2]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 9 inches tall, and had hazel eyes, dark hair, and a fair complexion. [source: 2]
On 19 September 1862, he enlisted as a private in the 91st Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was enlisted by J A Gregory. J K Mason was the examining physician; he reported no problems, and that Rider had been vaccinated for smallpox. [sources: 1, 2]
He is listed on a Muster and descriptive roll of a detachment of US volunteers forwarded for the 91st Regiment Pennsylvania infantry, dated Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 22 September 1862. But he is not listed on any of the regiment's company muster rolls. [source: 2]
1 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Cornelius Rider)
2 compiled service record, 91st PA (Cornelius Rider)
I, Cornelius Rider born in New York City in the State of New York aged twenty two years, and by occupation a Clerk DO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE to have volunteered this nineteenth day of September 1862, 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, Cornelius Rider 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.
Cornelius RiderI 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.
I CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That I have minutely inspected the Volunteer Cornelius Rider 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, Dark hair, fair complexion, is 5 feet 9 inches high.
Lt J A GregoryI, Cornelious [sic] Rider desiring to VOLUNTEER as a Soldier in the Army of the United States, for the term of THREE YEARS, Do declare, That I am twenty two 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.