He was born in 1834/35 (3 (26 in 1861), 4 (26 in 1861)). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3).
When he enlisted, he was a glass blower, and was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3, 4).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 9-1/2 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and light hair (3, 4).
He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private on 20 August 1861 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 3, 4, 7). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Starr (3). He was a private in company A (1, 12-13).
He returned to duty on 24 April 1863 (2).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (11).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 26 December 1863, at Bealton, Virginia (1, 4, 7).
On 12 March 1864, he was reported under arrest (5).
He was wounded on 18 June 1864 at Petersburg, Virginia (1).
He may have returned to the regiment from being absent sick on 6 September 1864 (10).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 4, 7). He was a private, in company A (9, 12-13).
On 12 August 1884 [?], his widow, Elizabeth Smith, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (6, 9).
In 1890, his widow Elizabeth Smith was living at 436 Wharton Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (7, 8).
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) (John G Smith)
2 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 24 April 1864 (Private Smith)
3 company A descriptive roll, entry 53 (John J Smith)
4 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 5 May 2004 (John G Smith)
5 consolidated morning report, 12 March 1864 (Smith)
6 pension index, by regiment (John G Smith)
7 1890 US census veterans schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, enumeration district [blank], page 2 (image 31 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, on Ancestry), lines 27-28 (Elizabeth Smith, widow of John E [?] Smith)
8 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory (Elizabeth Smith, wid John)
9 pension index, by name (John G Smith)
10 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 6 September 1864 (Privt Smith--apparently either this John G Smith or William Smith, both of whom were wounded 18 June 1864)
11 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (John G Smith)
12 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John G Smith)
13 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John J Smith)