He was 23 years old when he was enlisted (2). He was born in Donegal, Ireland (2).
He was a laborer (2).
He was 5 feet 6 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair (2).
He was enlisted and mustered into service on 10 February 1864 (1). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Lieutenant Shipley (2). He was mustered by Lieutenant Burke (2). He served as a private in company B (1).
He deserted on 2 March 1864 (1; see also 4). He was dropped from the rolls as a deserter on 3 July 1864 (3).
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 company B, [second] descriptive roll, entry 22 (William McVey)
3 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 3 July 1864 (Private McVey)
4 monthly return, company B, May 1864 (William McVeigh [?])
[I did not find an entry for him in Ancestry's index to the pension index by name (searched March 2007)]