He was born in 1840/41 (8 (20 in 1861), 9 (22 in 1861), 11 (20 in 1861), 12 (20 in 1861), 13 (20 in 1861), 14 (34 in ?1878), 16 (37 in 1880), 17 (34 in 1878), 23 (34 in 1878)). He was born in Donegal, Ireland (11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 23).
When he enlisted, he was a farmer, and was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (8, 11, 12, 13)
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 6 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and light hair (8, 11, 12 [brown hair], 13 [brown hair]).
In 1878, he was 5 feet 6 inches tall, and had a light complexion, and could read and write (23).
He was mustered into service on 24 September 1861 or 4 December 1861 (1, 8, 10 [4 Dec], 11 [4 Dec], 23 (4 Dec 61), 24 (Dec 1861)). He was enlisted for three years, and mustered in as a private in company K, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Casner (1, 8, 11, 26-27).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (15).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 1 January 1864 (1, 8, 9 [29 Dec 63], 12 [29 Dec 63], 13 [29 Dec 63], 18 [28 Dec 63], 23 (29 Dec 63)). He was reenlisted for three years, at Warrenton, Virginia, by Lieutenant Carpenter (8, 9, 12, 13). He was mustered by Lieutenant Swan (12, 13).
He is presumably the William Vance who lent William Henry Johnson (K) money when Johnson wasn't paid; Johnson praised him as his 'most particular friend' (22).
He was transfered to company K on 16 February 1864 (2). He may have been mistakenly transferred to company A when he reenlisted (see fact of the week #102).
On 4 July 1864, he was detailed by Colonel Gregory for duty in the provost guard at brigade headquarters (3, 4, 7). He was still there in September (?) 1864 (7).
He was promoted to corporal on 24 September 1864 (5). And he was returned to duty on 25 September 1864 (7).
He was wounded on 27 October 1864 at Hatcher's Run, Virginia (1, 10, 21, 23). On 4 November 1864, he was admitted to hospital in Washington, DC (21). On 8 November 1864, Acting Assistant Surgeon J H Thompson amputated his arm (21). The bones were donated to the US Army Medical Hospital (21).
On 27 April 1865, he was promoted to sergeant, effective 1 April 1865 (1, 6, 9, 10, 18 [1 Apr 1865]).
On 30 April 1865, he was reported absent in hospital, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (19). He was still absent in hospital, in Chester, at the end of June 1865 (20).
He was absent, sick, when the regiment mustered out (1, 9 [in hospital]). He had served for thirty-six months (14, 17 [43 months], 24 (3 years, 7 months, 15 days)).
On 20 July 1865, he was discharged, at Chester, Pennsylvania, because of disability (21, 23). He was a sergeant, in company K (26-27).
On 7 September 1865, he applied successfully for a pension (18).
After the war, he lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, until he was admitted to the National Soldiers Home (23).
On 2 October 1878, he was admitted to the Central Branch of the National Soldiers Home, in Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio (14, 17, 23). He had lost his left arm (14, 17, 23). He was receiving a pension of $18 per month (14, 23). He was a laborer (23). He was a widower, with four children (23). His nearest relative was his daughter Mary E Vance, of 1340 Brown Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (23).
In 1880, he was living in the National Military Home in Montgomery County, Ohio (16). He was married, and a farm laborer (16).
In 1882, he was present in the Central Branch of the National Soldiers Home (14).
His pension was increased (at different times) to $24 per month, then $30 (23). Effective 7 August 1886, it was increased to $40 per month, apparently under the Act of 4 August 1886 (23).
In 1890, he was living in the National Military Home, in Montgomery County, Ohio (24). He had lost his left arm (24).
In 1905, he was at the Central Branch of the National Soldiers Home (17). He was receiving a pension of $40 per month (17).
He died on 11 February 1905, in the National Military Home, Central Branch (17, 18, 23, 25). He died of an aneurysm of the innominate artery (23). He was buried in the National Cemetery, Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio (23, 25). His daughter Mary E, his son Frank, and his friend Mrs J S Johnson, who were all in Dayton, were notified by telephone (23). He had $5.25, and the Home appraised his personal effects at $.75 (23).
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 lists two William Vance's. The one in company A is not accounted for at muster out. Bates' source obviously missed special order 4, HQ 91st PA, 16 Feb 64, which transfers Vance from co.A to co.K.]
2 special order 4, HQ 91st PA, 16 February 1864
3 letter, Sellers to Bennett, 4 July 1864
4 special order 61, HQ 91st PA, 4 July 1864 (William Vance)
5 special order 83, HQ 91st PA, 24 September 1864
6 special order 25, HQ 91st PA, 27 April 1865 (William Vance)
7 [list of detailed men, probably from Sept 1864] (William Vance)
8 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 18 August 2004 (William Vance [co.A])
9 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 18 August 2004 (William Vance [co.K])
10 company K, second list of non-commissioned officers (William Vance)
11 company K, descriptive roll, entry 83 (William Vince)
12 company K, third descriptive roll (William Vance)
13 company K, fourth descriptive roll (William Vance)
14 Annual report of the Board of Managers of the National Soldiers Home, 30 December 1882 [for the fiscal year ending 30 June 1882]. Serial Set volume 2115, session volume 1, 47th Congress, 2nd Session, House Miscellaneous Document 13, page 378 (William Vance)
15 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (William Vance)
16 1880 US census, Ohio, Montgomery County, National Military Home, supervisor's district 2, enumeration district 169, microfilm series T9, film 1052, page 596 = 24 D handwritten (William Vance)
17 Report of the Board of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1905, page 433. Serial Set volume 4992. Session volume 52, 59th Congress, 1st Session. House Document 81. (Wm Vance)
18 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company K (William Vance)
19 company K, monthly report, April 1865 (Wm Vance)
20 monthly return, company K, June 1865 (Wm Vance)
21 Catalogue of the United States Army Medical Museum. Prepared under the direction of the Surgeon General, U. S. Army. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1866. (W.V.)
22 letter, William H Johnson to parents, 4 Jan 1864 (William Vance)
23 Historical register of national homes for disabled volunteer soldiers, 1866-1938, National Archives and Records Administration, microfilm series M1749, Dayton, V, entry 8129 (William Vance)
24 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Ohio, Montgomery County, e.d. spl., page 203 (FamilySearch) (William Vance)
25 Find a grave, memorial 1274105, imported from US Veteran's Affairs, added 26 Feb 2000, accessed 26 Dec 2013 (William Vance)
26 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William Vance)
27 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William Vince)
| line | 30 |
| street name | Maryland Avenue |
| house number | [12] |
| dwelling visit # | [12] |
| family visit # | [12] |
| name | Vance William |
| color | W |
| sex | M |
| age | 37 |
| month born if born in year | |
| relationship | Disabled Soldiers Beneficiaries of Natl Mil Home for D.V.S. |
| single | |
| married | 1 |
| widowed/divorced | |
| married during year | |
| occupation | Farm Laborer |
| months unemployed | |
| currently ill? | |
| blind | |
| deaf/dumb | |
| idiotic | |
| insane | |
| disabled | 1 |
| school this year | |
| can't read | |
| can't write | |
| birthplace | Ireland |
| father's birthplace | Ireland |
| mother's birthplace | Ireland |
| MILITARY HISTORY. | |||||
| Time and Place of each Renlistment. | Company and Regiment. | Time and Place of Discharge. | Cause of Discharge. | Kind and Degree of Disability. | When and Where Contracted and Received. |
| Dec 4' 1861 Philadelphia Pa. Dec 29' 1863 Warrenton Junction | K 91 Penna. Vols. K 91 Penna. Vols. | Dec 1' 1863 Warrenton Junction Chester, Pa. | Reenlisted Disability | Loss of left Arm. | Oct 27' 1864 Hatchs Run Va. |
| DOMESTIC HISTORY. | ||||||
| Where Born. | Age. | Residence Subsequent to Discharge. | Occupation. | Social Condition. | Number and kind of Relatives Requiring his Assistance. | P.O. Address of Family or Nearest Relatives. |
| Ireland | 34 | Philadelphia Penna Height 5-6 Complexion light Read + write - yes. | Laborer | Widower 4 child | Daughter Mary E. Vance 1340. Brown St. Philada Pa | |
| HOME HISTORY. | ||||||
| Rate of Pension. | Date of Admission and Re-admission. | Condition of Re-admission. | Date of Discharge. | Cause of Discharge. | Date of Death. | Cause of Death. |
| $18.00 24.00 30 00 40 00 51686 | Oct 2' 1878 | Feb 11" 1905 Section "A" Row 9 Grave 8 | Aneurism [sic] of Innominate Artery | |||
| Daughter Mary E. Son Frank and Friend [?] Mrs J S Johnson all in Dayton O. + notified by Telephone | ||||||