He was born in 1841/42 (3 (19 in 1861)). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3).
When he enlisted, he was a teamster (3).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 7-1/2 inches tall, and had a light complexion, gray eyes, and light hair (3).
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 17 September 1861 (1, 3). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Smith (3). He was a private in company A (1, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (6).
On 28 July 1863, he was detailed for duty with the brigade train (2).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer (1).
He was missing in May 1864 (7).
He was probably in arrest by 9 June 1864 (and perhaps earlier) (4).
In July 1864, he was tried by court martial (8).
In September 1864, he was tried by court martial (8).
At some point, he was serving time at Fort Delaware by sentence of a general court martial (3).
According to the regimental records, he was discharged by sentence of court martial, carried out by general order 47, Headquarters, Military Governor, Alexandria, Virginia, 7 September 1864 (5). The regiment reported the discharge on 15 September 1864 (5). He was a private, in company A (9, 10, 11, 12, 13).
According to the published regimental roster, he was discharged on 1 July 1865 by general order (1).
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 special order 42, HQ 91st PA, 28 July 1863 (John Knecth)
3 company A descriptive book, entry 37 (John J Knecht)
4 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 9 June 1864 (unnamed)
5 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 15 September 1864 (Jno Knecht)
6 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (John J Knecht)
7 'The Ninety-first Pennsylvania volunteers', Philadelphia Inquirer 8 June 1864 page 3 (John G Knecht)
8 National Archives Archival Research Catalog (accessed 24 July 2010) (John Knecht; 2 entries)
9 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John J Kenecht)
10 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John J Kencht)
11 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John J Kenceht)
12 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John J Knect)
13 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John J Knecht)