He was born in 1830/31 (11 [A] (30 in 1861), 12 [C] [33 probably at reenlistment in 1863], 13 [33 probably at reenlistment in 1863]). He was born in Monaghan, Ireland (13).
When he enlisted, he was a tailor, and was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (11, 12, 13).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 10 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, gray eyes, and light hair (11, 13 [5'8", fair complexion, grey eyes, brown hair]). He had a scar over his right eye (13).
He enlisted and was mustered into service, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 27 August 1861 [co.C] or 24 August 1861 [co.A] (1, 11, 12, 13). He was enlisted for three years, by Colonel Reiff (13). He was mustered in as a private, in company A (1, 11, 17-20 (co. C)).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (15). He was then in company C (15).
In September 1863, he wrote Barbara Shinkle, widow of Edward Shinkle (C), telling her that Shinkle had died at Belle Island, Virginia (16).
He was absent without leave beginning 27 October 1863 (9).
On 30 December 1863, Sinex reported that he was one of 38 men who had less than fifteen months to serve who were unwilling to reenlist (3).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 1 January 1864, at Warrenton, Virginia (1, 11, 12 [26 Dec 63]).
He was transfered from company A to company C on 16 February 1864 (4). He may have been mistakenly transferred to company A when he reenlisted (see fact of the week #102).
He was promoted from private to corporal on 1 April 1864, replacing Archibald Nimmo (5).
On 5 November 1864, he was promoted to sergeant, effective 1 November 1864 (6, 14).
On 3 February 1865, he went on a furlough, which ended on 18 February 1865 (8).
On 26 March 1865, he was promoted to first sergeant, effective 1 March 1865 (7, 10).
He was promoted from first sergeant to second lieutenant on 1 June 1865 (1) or 8 June 1865 (2).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1). He was second lieutenant of company C (17-20).
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)
(John M McGinnis)
[Bates lists two John McGinnis's, on in co.A (not accounted for at muster out), and one in co.C (mustered out with the regiment). His source obviously missed special order 4, HQ 91st PA, 16 February 1864, which transfers him from co.A to co.C.]
3 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 30 December 1863 (John Maginnis)
4 special order 4, HQ 91st PA, 16 February 1864 (John Maginnes)
5 special order 31, HQ 91st PA, 1 April 1864
6 special order 104, HQ 91st PA, 5 November 1864 (John McGinnis)
7 special order 22, HQ 91st PA, 26 March 1865 (John McGinnis)
8 enlisted men's furloughs (Sergt McGinnis)
9 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 27 October 1863 (Priv McGinnis)
10 company C, List of non-commissioned officers, page 2, first sergeants (John McGinnis)
11 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 1 July 2004 (John McGinnis, co.A)
12 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 1 July 2004 (John McGinnis, co.C)
13 company C, descriptive roll, entry 51 (John McGinnis)
14 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 7 November 1864 (Corpl McGinnis)
15 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (John McGinnes)
16 widow's pension certificate file, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15, certificate number WC 111,870, Barbara Beveridge widow of Edward Shinkel (Serg Maginnis)
17 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John McGinnis)
18 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John Magines)
19 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John McGines)
20 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John McGinnes)