He was born in 1820/21 +(10 (40 in 1861), 11 (40 in 1861), 12 (40 in 1861), 17 (77 in 1896)). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (12).
When he enlisted, he was a machinist, and was living in Philadelphia (10, 11, 12).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 9 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and light hair (10, 11, 12).
He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private on 7 October 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 9, 10 [8 Oct], 14). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Bowman (9). He was a private, in company B (1, 18).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (16).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 24 December 1863, at Bealton, Virginia (1, 10, 11 [25 Dec], 12 [25 Dec]). He was enlisted for three years by Lieutenant Carpenter, and mustered by Lieutenant Swan (11, 12).
On 1 March 1864, Colonel Gregory detached him to collect conscripts, at Philadelphia (2). On 27 April 1864, Sinex reported that he had been relieved from Camp Cadwalader, but had not yet reported to the regiment (3).
He was promoted from private to second sergeant in June 1864 (5). The promotion took effect on 1 June 1864 (5) or 31 May 1864 (7, 8, 12).
On 17 February 1865, he went on a furlough, which ended on 4 March 1865 (6). He returned on 3 March 1865 (6).
He was "to be charged"--perhaps for lost equipment, when the regiment mustered out (13).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 10, 14). He was a private, in company B (18).
In 1890, he was living in the Soldiers and Sailors Home in Erie, Pennsylvania (14).
On 17 March 1890, he successfully applied for a pension (15).
He died on 27 November 1896 (15 [27 Nov], 17 [26 Nov]). The funeral was held on Sunday, from 525 Wildey Street (the residence of his son Isaac Rulon) (17). He is buried at Palmer Cemetery (17).
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 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 7 March 1864
3 letter, Sinex to Fowler, 27 April 1864
4 special order 13, HQ 91st PA, 1 March 1864
5 special order 45, HQ 91st PA, June 1864
6 enlisted men's furloughs (Jas Ralon)
7 list of non-commissioned officers, co.B (James Ralon [the 'Ra' is clear'])
8 company B, [second] list of non-commissioned officers (James Rulon)
9 company B, descriptive roll, entry 34 (James Rulon)
10 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 31 May 2004 (James Rulon)
11 company B, [second] descriptive roll, entry 24 (James Rulon)
12 company B, [third] descriptive roll, entry 2 (James Rulon)
13 list of men who owed money [?], page 2, number 1 (Jas Rulon)
14 1890 US census, Veterans schedule, Pennsylvania, Erie County, Soldiers and Sailors Home, enumeration district 264, page 26, line 17 (James Rulon)
15 pension index, by regiment (James Rulon)
16 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (James Rulon)
17 [death notice], Philadelphia Inquirer 29 November 1896, page 18 (James Rulon)
18 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (James Rulon)
RULON.--On November 26, 1896, James Rulon, aged 77 years. The relatives and friends of the family, also the survivors of Company B of the Ninety-first Regiment of Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Sunday, at 2 o'clock, from the residence of his son, Isaac Rulon, No. 525 Wildey street. Interment at Palmer Cemetery.