He was born in 1825/26 (9 (35 in 1861), 11 (37 perhaps when he reenlisted in 1863?), 12 (35 in 1861)). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (9, 11).
When he enlisted, he was a driver, and was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (9, 12 (ice dealer)).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 11-1/2 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair (9, 11 [5'9", light complexion], 12 [5'4-1/2", light complexion]). He had a "very heavy scar" on his left forearm, and his arm was crooked from a compound fracture (9).
He enlisted and was mustered into service, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 21 September 1861 (1, 9, 12). He was enlisted for three years, by Captain Lentz (9, 12). He was mustered in as a private in company C (1, 12 (as teamster), 14).
He was transferred on 4 December 1861 to company I (8, 9).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (13).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 26 December 1863 (1, 12). He was enlisted for three years, at Bealton, Virginia, by Lieutenant Swan (11, 12).
On 6 March 1864, he began serving as Lieutenant Colonel Sinex's hostler (2). He was still serving on 25 March 1864 (2), and on 25 April 1864 (3). However, he was not detailed as Sinex's hostler until 26 March 1864 (4).
He was promoted to corporal on 22 October 1864 (2).
On 14 November 1864 he was promoted to sergeant, effective 11 November 1864 (1, 6, 10, 12).
On 1 February 1865, he went on a furlough, which ended on 16th February 1863 (7). He returned (7).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 10, 11, 12). He was a sergeant, in company I (14).
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) [Bates (1) has two Robert Ross's, both enlisted on the same day. The one in company C is not listed on the muster-out roll. The company C descriptive book confirms he was transferred from co.C to co.I.]
2 letter, Sinex to Fowler, 25 March 1864
3 List of enlisted men employed as servants, hostlers, etc., HQ 91st PA, 25 April 1865.
4 special order 27, HQ 91st PA, 26 March 1864
5 special order 101, HQ 91st PA, 25 October 1864
6 special order 110, HQ 91st PA, 14 November 1864
7 enlisted men's furloughs (Robt Ross)
8 company C, register of men transferred (Robert Ross)
9 company C, descriptive roll, entry 61 (Robert Ross)
10 company I, list of non-commissioned officers (Robert Ross)
11 company I, descriptive roll, #3 (Robert Ross)
12 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 24 March 2005 (Robert Ross)
13 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (Robert Ross)
14 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Robert Ross)