He was born in Pennsylvania (40, 41). He was born in 1826/27 (40 (63 in 1890), 41 (63 in 1890)).
He also served as a private in company F of the 1st Virginia Infantry in the Mexican War (40, 41). He served for thirty months (40, 41).
He also served in company D of the 26th Pennsylvania Infantry (34, 40, 41, 42 [1 June 1861]). He served for 3 months (40, 41).
He was mustered into service on 10 September 1861 (1, 33 [1 Jul 62]). He was a sergeant, in company I (1, 49).
Starting 10 February 1863, he was absent (24). While the consolidated morning report does not indicate why, company I has one fewer sergeant present for duty, and one additional enlisted man absent with leave on the 10th than on the 9th, and no other changes in enlisted men. He seems, therefore, to have been absent on leave (24).
On 27 March 1863, he was promoted from sergeant to second lieutenant, replacing Benjamin Eyre, effective 1 February 1863 (1, 23 [first sergeant], 26 [but on the 30th's report, he is again a sergeant], 32). He was mustered by Lieutenant Stuart (32).
On 3 May 1863, he was present at the Battle of Chancellorsville (43). He saw Benjamin Tayman going to the right of the regiment, presumably to find Lieutenant-Colonel Sinex (43).
On 26 May 1863, he testified at the trial of Benjamin Tayman (43).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (38). He was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg on 3 July 1863 (5). He was sent to the hospital and then to Philadelphia (5). As of 28 August 1863, the regiment had heard nothing officially from him (5).
He was present, but sick, from 4 September 1863 through 9 September 1863 (28, 29). He was then present for duty (30).
Philip Toushant began working as his cook on 7 September 1863 (6, 31), and was still his cook on 29 September 1863 (6), and on 14 November 1863 (7, which has him beginning on 25 September).
He accompanied details on picket duty on 11 September 1863 (9) and on 20 November 1893 (10).
From December 1863 through October 1865, he provided seven letters certifying information about James Maguire (I) in support of Maguire's widow's pension application (46).
Henry Dunn, co I, began working as his cook on 18 December 1863, and was still his cook on 30 December (8).
He was appointed to a board of survey on 6 March 1864, which was supposed to investigate deficiencies of items for which David Baker and John Brass were responsible (12).
On 7 April 1864, he certified that James Kiernan served in company I, was in good health when he entered the service, and was discharged for disability (44). He was then a 2nd lieutenant, commanding company I (44).
William Harris (I) began serving as his servant on 25 April 1864 (11).
He had been temporarily in command of company C, and was relieved by John Brass on 26 June 1864 (13). On 10 July 1864, he was appointed to a Board of Survey to determine what government property was in company D (17).
On 28 September 1864, he was ordered to turn over his company's surplus ordnance and stores to Francis Gregory (18).
He was promoted to captain on 18 October 1864 (1 [has 8 Oct 63], 2 [18 Oct], 19 [can't read date], 32, 35). He was mustered in by Captain Laughlin (32).
He went on leave on 23 October 1864, which was scheduled to end on 2 November 1864 (25, citing SO 286, 5th Army Corps, Army of Potomac).
On 23 October 1864, he was reported absent with leave (citing special order 286) (36). He had returned by 3 November 1864 (37).
On 11 November 1864, he was appointed a member of a board of survey to determine for how much government property in companies D, B, and K respectively, John Edgar, George Finney, and John Allen were responsible (20).
Major General Griffen (first division, 5th corps) appointed him to a general court martial on 7 January 1865, which later found 1st Lt Thomas Walter guilty of disobeying orders (3).
On 27 January 1865, he and other officers met near Petersburg Virginia and adopted a testimonial to Captain James Closson, who had died in November 1864, of wounds received in action (4).
On 29 January 1865, Sellers appointed him in command of the regiment while Sellers was temporarily away (21). On 31 January 1865 (16), 2 February 1865, and on 3 February 1865, he was commanding the regiment (14).
On 21 February 1865, he began a leave, which expired on 8 March 1865 (25, citing SO 46 5th army corp). He was declared absent without leave on 11 March 1865 (39).
On 22 March 1865, he was appointed to a regimental court martial to try John Wright (G) during March 1865 (22).
On 17 June 1865, he certified various claims about Daniel Whartonby, for his mother's pension application (45).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 2, 42). He had served for forty-six months (40, 41). He was captain of company I (49).
On 12 July 1865, he was at Camp Cadwalader, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (44). He provided information about James Kiernan (44).
On 22 May 1868, he testified supporing the pension application of Mary Largey, widow of Henry P Largey (I) (47).
On 14 September 1874, he applied successfully for a pension (34, 42).
In 1890, he was living at 827 Lawrence Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (33).
On 28 June 1890, he was admitted from Pennsylvania to the Southern Branch of the National Soldiers' Home in Montgomery County, Ohio (40, 41). He was admitted from Pennsylvania (40, 41). He was receiving a pension of $8 per month (40, 41). He had rheumatism (40, 41).
He died on 21 September 1892, at the Southern Branch of the National Soldiers' Home (40, 42 [18 Sep], 48 [18 Sep]). He was buried in the Hampton National Cemetery, Hampton, Hampton City, Virginia (48). He was receiving a pension of $12 per month (41).
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.)
3 pension file, Thomas Walter; and court-martial file, Thomas Walter
4 testimonial to James Closson, adopted 27 Jan 1865
5 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 28 August 1863
6 letter, Gregory to Marvin, 9 September 1863
7 letter, Gregory to Marvin, 14 November 1863
8 letter, Sellers to Marvin, 30 December 1863
9 special order 77, HQ 91st PA, 10 September 1863
10 special order 107, HQ 91st PA, 20 November 1863
11 report of enlisted men employed as servants, hostlers, &qq, HQ 91st PA, 25 April 1864
12 special order 16, HQ 91st PA, 6 March 1864
13 special order 52, HQ 91st PA, 26 June 1864
14 furlough document for George Rodearmel, 14 February 1865, provided by Dave Rodearmel, transcription and image
15 letter, Sellers to Bartlett, 13 November 1864
16 letter, Donnell to Morgan, 31 January 1865
17 special order 65, HQ 91st PA, 10 July 1864
18 special order [unnumbered], HQ 91st PA, 28 September 1864
19 regimental descriptive book
20 special order 107, HQ 91st PA, 7 November 1864
21 special order 8, HQ 91st PA, 29 January 1865
22 special order 19, HQ 91st PA, 22 March 1865
23 regimental descriptive book (John S Donnell)
24 consolidated morning report, 10 February 1863
25 undated officers' furlough list, in regimental letter, order, guard, and furlough book (two entries) (John S Donnell)
26 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 27 March 1863 (Sergt Donnell)
27 [undated and untitled chart with officers' names] (two references: John S Donnell, and Capt Donnell)
28 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 4 September 1863 (not named)
29 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 9 September 1863 (not named)
30 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 10 September 1863 (not named)
31 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 7 September 1863 (Lieut Donnell)
32 company I, list of commissioned officers (2 entries) (John S Donnell)
33 1890 US Census, Veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district [1], enumeration district 220, page 2 (image 1357 on Ancestry), line 18 (John R [?] Donnell)
34 pension index, by name (John S Donnell)
35 consolidated morning report, 19 October 1864 (Lt Donnell)
36 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 23 October 1864 (Capt Donnell)
37 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 3 November 1864 (no commissioned officers in company I on leave)
38 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (John Donnell)
39 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 11 March 1865 (J S Donnell)
40 Report of the Board of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1893. Serial Set volume 3151, session volume 1, 53rd Congress, 1st Session. House Miscellaneous Document 35. Pages 711, 717, and 771. (John S Donnell)
41 Report of the Board of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890. Serial Set volume 2869, session volume 1, 51st Congress, 2nd Session. House Miscellaneous Document 38] (John S Donnell)
42 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company I (John S Donnell)
43 National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 153: Records of the Office of the Judge Advocate General (Army), 1792-1982, general court martial, 25 May 1863 (John S Donnell)
44 widow's pension certificate file, NARA, record group 15, certificate 51729 (Catherine widow of James Kiernan) (John S Donnell)
45 mother's pension certificate file, National Archives and Records administration, record group 15, certificate 81,329 (Sarah J Whartonly mother of Daniel Whartonly) (John S Donnell)
46 widow's pension certificate, Annie widow of James Maguire, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15, widow's certificate 78,602 (John S Donnell)
47 abstract of dependent's pension certificate file, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15, WC 129,263, Mary Bess Largey widow of Henry P Largey (John S Donnell)
48 Find a grave, memorial 3080576, imported from US Veteran's Affairs, added 4 March 2000, accessed 25 January 2014 (John S Donnell)
49 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John S Donnell)