He was born in 1828/29 (2 (35 in 1863), 8 (32 in 1861)). He was born in Doug County, Ireland (2, 8 (Philadelphia PA)).
When he enlisted, he was a teamster, and was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2, 8).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 3-1/2 inches tall, had a light complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair (2, 8 [5'4", sandy complexion, blue eyes, brown hair]).
He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private in company E on 31 August 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 8, 13-14).
On 26 June 1862, he was in Prince-Street Hospital, Alexandria, Virginia (12). He had a fever (12).
He was one of eleven men taken prisoner at Fredericksburg, Virginia, when company E was left behind (2). On 19 May 1863, he (along with eight others) returned to the regiment, as a paroled prisoner (7).
He fought in the battle of Gettysburg (5).
He re-enlisted for three years as a veteran volunteer, at Bealton Virginia, on 24 December 1863 (1, 2, 8 [26 Dec 63]). He was enlisted by Lieutenant Carpenter, and mustered into service by Lieutenant Swann (2).
He was wounded in the breast while charging the enemy at the Gault House, Spotsylvania, Virginia on 14 May 1864 (1, 2, 9).
In May or June 1864, he lost one Springfield rifle musket and accoutrements (6).
He left his hospital (Saturlie [???] US General Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) on 29 July 1864, and went to Philadelphia (3, 4). He was arrested on 4 September 1864 (3, 4 [has 5 Sept]). He was charged with desertion. He pled guilty to the specification (i.e. the facts about his leaving and arrest), but not guilty to the charge. He was tried by court martial, at Alexandria, Virginia. He was found guilty of the specifiction, and not guilty of the charge, but guilty of absence without leave. On 10 January 1865 he was sentenced to forfeit $10 per month for six months and to make good all time lost by his absence (2, 4, 11).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 8). He was a private, in company E (13-14).
On 7 September 1865, he unsuccessfully applied for a pension (8).
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 78 (Robert Wooden)
3 register of deserters, company E, entry 17
4 special order 24, headquarters, Military Governor, Alexandria, Virginia, 10 January 1865
5 Pennsylvania Memorial, 91st Pennsylvania plaque, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (Robert Wooden)
6 letter, Lentz to Bennett, 16 July 1864
7 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 19 May 1863 (Private Wooden)
8 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 6 May 2004 (Robert Wooden)
9 'The Ninety-first Pennsylvania volunteers', Philadelphia Inquirer 8 June 1864 page 3 (Robert Wooden)
10 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company E (Robert Wooden)
11 National Archives Archival Research Catalog (accessed 24 July 2010) (Robert Wooden)
12 'The sick and wounded Pennsylvania soldiers in Washington', Philadelphia Press Saturday 28 June 1862, page 1 (Robert Wooden)
13 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Robert Wooden)
14 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Robert Worden)