He was born in 1842/43 (5 (18 in 1861)). He was born in Tyrone, Ireland (5).
When he enlisted, he was a lab[orer] (5).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 7-1/2 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair (5).
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 12 December 1861 (1, 5, 6). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain O Brown (5). He was mustered in as a private in company H (1, 9, 10). He had rifle number 37 (5).
On 26 June 1862, he was in Prince-Street Hospital, Alexandria, Virginia (7). He had chronic diarrhea (7).
He was captured, probably during the Battle of Chancellorsville (2). On 18 May 1863, he was reported regained from missing in action, having returned to the regiment as a paroled prisoner (2).
He was initially listed on the plaque recording men who fought at the Battle of Gettysburg, but his name was later deleted (8).
He deserted on 7 July 1863 (or possibly 8 July 1864) while on the march, near Frederick, Maryland (1, 4). He was a private, in company H (10).
On 28 July 1863, he was reported as having been dropped because he was missing in the campaign (probably after 11 June 1863) (3). He was a private, in company H (9).
According to the 1890 census, he was discharged on 12 December 1864 (6).
In 1890, he was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (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) (Patrick Donnelly)
2 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 18 May 1863 (Private Donnelly)
3 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 28 July 1863 (Music [sic] Donnelly)
4 company H, register of deserters, #20 (Patrick Donnelly)
5 company H, descriptive roll, #89 (Patrick Donnoly)
6 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 752, page 1 [sic] (image 2398 on Ancestry) (Patrick Donnelly)
7 'The sick and wounded Pennsylvania soldiers in Washington', Philadelphia Press Saturday 28 June 1862, page 1 (Patrick Donnelly)
8 card, with the original version of the 91st PA plaque on the Pennsylvania memorial at Gettysburg (from the papers of William C Reiff; thanks to Susan Stickles!) (Patrick Donnely)
9 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (P Donnelly)
10 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Patrick Donnely)