He was born in 1837/38 (4 (23 in 1861), 5 (23 in 1861), 9 (23 in 1861), 10 (25 in 1863)). He was born in New York, New York (5, 9, 10).
When he enlisted, he was a moulder, and was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (4, 5, 10).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 6 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and light hair (4, 5, 9, 10).
He enlisted and was mustered into service, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 23 September 1861 (1, 4, 5, 9, 14). He was enlisted for three years, by Captain Smith, (4, 5, 9). He was mustered in as a private, in company F (1, 4, 5, 11-13).
He was promoted to corporal, probably on 1 January 1863, though perhaps on 1 June 1863 (1, 5, 8 [1 Jan], 9 [1 Jan]).
He was initially listed on the plaque recording men who fought at the Battle of Gettysburg, but his name was later deleted (17).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 31 December 1863 (1, 4, 5, 10 [30 Dec]). He was reenlisted for three years, at Warrenton Junction, Virginia, by Lieutenant W H Carpenter (4, 5, 10).
He was transfered to company F on 16 February 1864 (3). Perhaps he was mistakenly transferred to company A when he reenlisted (see fact of the week #102).
He deserted from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 28 April 1864 (1, 2?, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15). He was a corporal, in company F (11-13).
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 John Walsh in co A as not accounted for at muster out. His source obviously missed special order 4, HQ 91st PA, 16 Feb 64, which transfers Walsh from co.A to co.F.
2 letter, Sinex to Fowler, 28 April 1864
3 special order 4, HQ 91st PA, 16 February 1864
4 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 18 August 2004 (John Walsh [co.A])
5 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 18 August 2004 (John Walsh [co.E])
6 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 28 April 1864 (Corpl Walsh)
7 company F, register of deserters, #28 (John Walsh)
8 company F, list of non-commissioned officers (John Walsh)
9 company F, descriptive roll, #38 (John Walsh)
10 company F, second descriptive roll, #16 (John Walsh)
11 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John Walsh)
12 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John Welch)
13 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John Welsh)
14 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)
15 letter, Sinex to Fowler, 28 April 1864
16 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 22 January 2005 (John Welsh)
17 card, with the original version of the 91st PA plaque on the Pennsylvania memorial at Gettysburg (from the papers of William C Reiff; thanks to Susan Stickles!) (John Welch)