He was born in 1838/39. [sources: date: 2 (25 in 1864), 4 (28 in 1864?)]
He was a sailor when he enlisted in the 19th Massachusetts. He was living in Halifax, Nova Scotia. [source: 4]
He was drafted. He was mustered into service on 27 May 1864. He served in company D of the 19th Massachusetts Infantry. On 4 June 1864, he deserted from the 19th Massachusetts. [source: 4]
He was a substitute. He enlisted and was mustered into service in the 91st Pennsylvania on 22 March 1865. He was mustered in as a private, at Reading, Pennsylvania. He was a private in company B. [sources: 1, 2, 5, 6]
He was transferred to the 19th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, as a deserter, apparently on (or at least by) 2 May 1865. The published record of the 19th Massachusetts does not record his return. When he was transferred, he was a private, in company B. [sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
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) (George Baker)
2 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 27 June 2004 (George Baker)
3 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 2 May 1865 (Privt Baker)
4 Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines in the Civil War, volume 2, page 435. Norwood Mass: Printed at the Norwood Press, 1931. (George Baker)
5 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (George Baker)
6 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (George Barker)