He was born in 1842/43 (9 (18 in 1861), 10 (18 in 1861), 11 [20 in 1863], 18 [48 at death in 1892]). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (10, 11, 18).
When he enlisted, he was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was a grocer (9, 10, 11).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 4 inches tall, and had a light complexion, grey eyes, and light hair (9 [5'4-1/2"], 10 [5'4"], 11 [5'4"]).
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 19 October 1861 (1, 9, 10, 12, 17). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Lieutenant Murphy (9, 10). He was mustered in as a musician, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (9). He was a musician in company G (1, 19).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (15).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 26 December 1863 (1, 9, 11). He was enlisted by Lieutenant Swan, for three years, at Bealton, Virginia (11).
On 30 July 1864, he was ordered by Colonel Gregory to report to the Fifth Corp Hospital at City Point (3, 6, 8 [1 Aug]). The detail was to report to brigade headquarters at 8 am on 1 August 1864 (6). He was still detailed as a nurse in September (?) 1864 (8).
On 10 September 1864, Sellers asked that he be returned, because the drum corps was "entirely broken up" (4). Sellers repeated the request on 16 September 1864, this time suggesting a replacement (5).
He went on a furlough on 26 February 1865 (7). He was declared absent without leave on 15 March 1865 (16). But he returned that same day, on 15 March 1865 (7).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 9, 12 [25 Jul], 17). He was a musician, in company G (19).
He attended the 1884 meeting of the 91st's Survivors' Association (2).
In 1890, he was living at 1848 Master Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (12, 13). He was a clerk (13). Joseph DeB Huber was also living there, and it was Dr S T Moyer's office (13).
On 4 May 1891, he applied unsuccessfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (14, 17).
He died on 16 January 1892, of chronic parenchymatous nephritis (17, 18). He was a bookkeeper (18). He was single (18). He died at, or was buried from, 1848 Master Street, 29th ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (18). On 20 January 1892, he was buried, at Mt Vernon Cemetery, (18).
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 'The ninety-first' [meeting of the survivors' association]. Grand Army Scout and Soldiers' Mail, 20 December 1884, page 6 column 2
3 letter, Tayman to Reed, 13 August 1864 (William Coyle, but item 4 below confirms that this is he)
4 letter, Sellers to Bennett, 10 September 1864 (Thos E Coyle)
5 letter, Sellers to Bennett, 16 September 1864 (Thos E Coyle)
6 special order 186, HQ 5th Army Corps, 30 July 1864 (Wm Coyle)
7 enlisted men's furloughs (Thos E Coyle)
8 [list of detailed men, probably from Sept 1864] (Thos E Coyle)
9 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 29 January 2005 (Thomas E Coyle)
10 company G, descriptive roll, entry 15 (Thomas E Coyle)
11 company G, second descriptive roll, entry [5] (Thomas E Coyle)
12 1890 US Census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 677, page [1] (image 2187 on Ancestry) (Thos E Coyle)
13 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory (Thomas Coyle)
14 pension index, by name (Thomas E Coyle)
15 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (Thomas E Coyle)
16 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 15 March 1865 (Mus Coyle)
17 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company G (Thomas E Coyle)
18 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 16 January 1892, #15498 (Thomas E [?] Coyle)
19 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Thomas E Coyle)