He was born in 1842/43 (3 (18 in 1861), 4 (20 in 1863?)). He was born in London, England (3).
When he enlisted, he was a colourer, and was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3, 4 [laborer]).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 3 inches tall, and had a light complexion, light eyes, and light hair (3, 4).
He enlisted and was mustered into service at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 3). He was enlisted for three years, by Lieutenant Phillips (3). He was mustered into service as a musician in company A on 20 August 1861 (1) or 4 December 1861 (1, 3, 4, 13-14).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (9).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 26 December 1863, at Bealton, Virginia (1, 4).
He went on a ten-day furlough on 23 October 1864; the furlough ended on 2 November 1864 (2, 6). He was sick in hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2).
On 10 November 1864, he was probably reported as absent without leave (8).
He returned, probably on 23 November 1864 (2).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 4). He was a private, in company A (13-14).
On 9 April 1875, he unsuccessfully applied for a pension (5, 12).
On 19 Dec 1877, his widow, Margaret S Wilson, unsuccessfully applied for a pension (5, 11).
On 19 February 1879, Adaline V McHugh, guardian of a minor, unsuccessfully applied for a pension (5, 10).
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) (William Wilson)
2 enlisted men's furloughs (Music. William Wilson)
3 company A descriptive roll, entry 80 (William Wilson)
4 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 5 May 2004 (William Wilson)
5 pension index, by regiment (William Wilson)
6 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 23 October 1864 (Musician Wilson)
7 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 10 November 1864 (unnamed; no one in company A absent with leave; one person absent without leave)
8 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 23 November 1864 (unnamed; no one in company A absent without leave)
9 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (William Wilson)
10 pension index, by name (guardian's application) (William Wilson)
11 pension index, by name (spouse's application) (William Wilson)
12 pension index, by name (soldier's application) (William Wilson)
13 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William Willson)
14 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William Wilson)