Origins
The 91st was formed from volunteers in Philadelphia, and most of its men were born in Pennsylvania.
Endings Almost 10% of the regiment died in service. 654 men mustered out with the regiment at the end; 128 of them were original members.
Washington The 91st guarded several famous Confederate female spies, and also shot a prisoner who was a boyhood friend of John Wilkes Booth.
Life Most of the regiment's time was taken up, not with battles, but with training and other duties.
Researchers
Edgar Gregory Colonel (Brevet Major General) Gregory was the only Assistant Commissioner of the post-war Freedman's Bureau who could be called an abolitionist.
Endings Almost 10% of the regiment died in service. 654 men mustered out with the regiment at the end; 128 of them were original members.
Washington The 91st guarded several famous Confederate female spies, and also shot a prisoner who was a boyhood friend of John Wilkes Booth.
Life Most of the regiment's time was taken up, not with battles, but with training and other duties.
Researchers
Edgar Gregory Colonel (Brevet Major General) Gregory was the only Assistant Commissioner of the post-war Freedman's Bureau who could be called an abolitionist.
What's new
Fact of the week [updated Sundays]
#282 I have previously reported that a dog was so attached to William Brown (C) that he stayed with his body after Brown's death. His widow, Sarah, wrote asking about her husband, perhaps because she had read the newspaper articles about the dog. Captain Parsons' response confirmed Brown's death, noting rather bluntly that he "suffered untold agony from the time he was wounded", and corrected the newspaper account. He also asked whether she wanted the body to be sent home, which would cost about $50. (I have no evidence that his body was ever moved.)
Battles and casualties Because of poor generalship, the 91st had no spectacular successes on the battlefield. But they paid a heavy price: 114 of them were killed or mortally wounded in battle.
After the war Many men received pensions, and joined veterans' associations. The last death I known of occurred in 1938.
Fact of the week [updated Sundays]
#282 I have previously reported that a dog was so attached to William Brown (C) that he stayed with his body after Brown's death. His widow, Sarah, wrote asking about her husband, perhaps because she had read the newspaper articles about the dog. Captain Parsons' response confirmed Brown's death, noting rather bluntly that he "suffered untold agony from the time he was wounded", and corrected the newspaper account. He also asked whether she wanted the body to be sent home, which would cost about $50. (I have no evidence that his body was ever moved.)
Battles and casualties Because of poor generalship, the 91st had no spectacular successes on the battlefield. But they paid a heavy price: 114 of them were killed or mortally wounded in battle.
After the war Many men received pensions, and joined veterans' associations. The last death I known of occurred in 1938.
Harry Ide is developing this web page. E-mail me at hide1@unl.edu with corrections, suggestions, or information!
Also contact Cyrus at SgtPen91st@aol.com, who is writing a book about the 91st PA.