He was born in 1839/40 (2 (21 in 1861)). He was born in Monchen, Ireland (2).
When he enlisted, he was a carpenter (2).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 9-1/2 inches tall, had a light complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair (2).
He enlisted and was mustered into service for three years in company E, at Philadelphia Pennsylvania, on 20 August 1861 (2) or 21 August 1861 (1). He was enlisted by Captain Lentz, and mustered into service by Colonel Reiff (2, 4-6).
He was discharged on 22 December 1862 on surgeon's certificate of disability, at a camp near Falmouth, Virginia (1, 2, 3). He was a private, in company E (4-6).
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 descriptive roll, company E, entry 73 (Joseph Willson)
3 company E, register of men discharged, number 16 (Joseph Wilson)
4 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Joseph Whilson)
5 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Joseph Willson)
6 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Joseph Wilson)