He was born in 1837/38, in Washington, DC. [sources: date: 2 (24 in 1862) place: 2]
When he enlisted, he was a carpenter. [source: 2]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 7-1/2 inches tall, and had blue eyes, black hair, and a dark complexion. [source: 2]
On 4 September 1862, he volunteered at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for company C of the 91st Pennsylvania Infantry. He was enlisted by Lieutenant J A Gregory. His declaration was witnssed by E J Maguigan. He had had smallpox, and had also been vaccinated against it. He was paid $25 in bounty, and a $4 premium. He was a private. [sources: 1, 2]
He was listed on a Muster and descriptive roll of a detachment of US volunteers forwarded for the 91st Pennsylvania infantry, dated 12 September 1862, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. But he is not listed on any company muster rolls. [source: 2]
1 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Joseph H Cross)
2 compiled service record from National Archives and Records Administration, 91st Pennsylvania infantry (Joseph H Cross0
I, Joseph H. Cross born in Washington D.C aged Twenty four years, and by occupation a Carpenter DO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE to have volunteered this fourth 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, Joseph H. Cross 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.
I CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That I have minutely inspected the Volunteer, Joseph Cross 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, Black hair, Dark complexion, is 5 feet 7 1/2 inches high.
Lt J A GregoryI, Joseph H. Cross 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 four 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.