He was born in 1837/38, in County Cavan, Ireland. [source: date: 2. place: 2]
When he enlisted, he was a shoemaker. [source: 2]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 10-7/8 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, hazel eyes, and brown hair. [source: 2]
On 15 October 1862, he enlisted, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a private, in company B. He was enlisted by J A Gregory. Acting Assistant Surgeon J K Mason examined him and certified that he was fit to serve as a soldier He received a bounty of $25, and a premium of $4. [sources: 1, 2]
He is listed on a Muster and descriptive roll of a detachment of US volunteers forwarded for the 91st, dated 18 October 1862, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. But he is not listed on any of the regiment's company muster rolls. [source: 2]
1 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (James Smith)
2 compiled service record, B 91 PA (James Smith)
I, James Smith born in County Cavin [sic] in Ireland aged Twenty four years, and by occupation a shoemaker DO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE to have volunteered this Fifteenth day of October 1862, 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, James Smith 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.
I 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.
J K Mason, Act. Ast. Surgn. U.S.A.I CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That I have minutely inspected the Volunteer, James Smith 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, Brown hair, Fair complexion, is 5 feet 10 7/8 inches high.
I, James Smith 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 four years and - 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.