He was born in 1843, in Northampton County, North Carolina. [sources: date: 2 (21 and 11 months in February 1864). place: 2]
When he enlisted, he was a farmer. [source: 2]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 7 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, hazel eyes, and black hair. [source: 2]
On 16 February 1864, he enlisted, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a volunteer, in company C. His enlistment was credited to the 4th district. He was enlisted by John A Steel (106th Pennsylvania). [sources: 1, 2]
He is listed on a Muster and descriptive roll of a detachment of US volunteers forwarded for the 91st Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry, dated Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 16 February 1864. Oddly, he is also listed on a Muster and descriptive roll of a detachment of US volunteers forwarded for the 91st Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry, dated Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 9 February 1864. He was due $300 in bounty; the muster roll refers to payments of $25 and $35. [source: 2]
He is listed on the January-February 1864 company muster roll, which does not state whether he was present or absent. [source: 2]
He deserted, apparently on 2 March 1864, at Chester, Pennsylvania. [source: 2]
He is listed on the March-April 1864 company muster roll, which reports he '[w]as last seen at Chester Pa. March 2 '64'. [source: 2]
He is on a descriptive list of deserters, dated Ingalls Station, Virginia, 1 May 1864. [source: 2]
1 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Solomon Parker)
2 compiled service record, 91st PA (Solomon Parker)
I, Solomon Parker born in Northampton in the State of North Carolina aged Twenty One years, and by occupation a Laborer DO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE to have volunteered this Sixteenth day of February 1864, 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, Solomon Parker 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.
his mark x Solomon ParkerI 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.
Jas A DraperI CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That I have minutely inspected the Volunteer, Solomon Parker 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 Hazel eyes, Black hair, Dark complexion, is Five feet Seven inches high.
John A SteelI, Solomon Parker 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 One years and Eleven 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.
GIVEN at Philadelphia Penna