He was born in 1840/41, in Albany, New York. [source: 2]
When he enlisted, he was a musician. [source: 2]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 9-1/2 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. [source: 2]
On 19 September 1862, he enlisted as a volunteer, and as a private, in the 91st, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. J K Mason was the examining surgeon, and J A Gregory enlisted him. He had been vaccinated against smallpox. W H H Hopkins witnessed his declaration. [sources: 1, 2]
He is listed on a muster and descriptive roll of detachment of US volunteers forwarded for the 91st, dated 22 September 1862, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. But he is not listed on any of the 91st's company muster rolls.
1 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William Robinson)
2 compiled service record, 91st PA (William Robinson)
I, William Robinson born in Albany in the State of New York, aged twenty one years, and by occupation a musician DO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE to have volunteered this ninteenth [sic] 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, William Robinson 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 Mason Act. Ast. Surgn US.AI CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That I have minutely inspected the Volunteer, William Robinson 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 Blue eyes, Brown hair, fair complexion, is 5 feet 9 1/2 inches high.
I, William Robinson 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 one 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.