He was born in 1845/46 (2 (18 in 1864)). He was born in York County, Pennsylvania (2).
When he enlisted, he was a laborer (2).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 2-1/4 inches tall, and had a light complexion, gray eyes, and light hair (2).
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 28 January 1864 (1) or 20 January 1864 (2). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Stretch (2). He was a private in company A (1, 5, 6).
He deserted on 12 May 1864 (1, 2, 4 [missing]). On 3 July 1864, he was reported regained from missing in action, and dropped as a deserter (3). He was a private, in company A (5, 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) (William Mathews)
2 company A descriptive roll, entry 124 (William Mathias [sic])
3 consolidated morning report, 4 July 1864 (Pri Mathias)
4 'The Ninety-first Pennsylvania volunteers', Philadelphia Inquirer 8 June 1864 page 3 (William Mathias)
5 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William Mathews)
6 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William Mathias)