John R Allen

Before the war

He was born on 2 October 1843, to Thomas C Allen and Elizabeth Rudolph (27). He was 18 years old when he was enrolled (16, 20, 21 [20 in 1863], 28 [26 in 1870], 29 [36 in 1880], 30 [56 (?) in 1900], 31 [66 in 1910]). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (20, 21, 27 [Delaware Cty PA], 28, 29, 30, 31).

He was a farmer when he was enlisted (16, 20, 21). He was living in Philadelphia when he was enrolled (16).

During the war

He was enlisted and mustered into service as a private on 19 November 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 16, 17 [20 Nov 61], 20, 26 [25 Dec], 27). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Fetter (20). He initially served as a private in company F (1, 27).

He was promoted to corporal on 23 December 1861 (1, 16, 19, 20). He was promoted to sergeant on 5 September 1862 or possibly 5? December 1862 or even 1 January 1863 (1 [5 Dec 62], 16 [5 Sep 62], 19 [5 Sep 62], 20 [has both 5 Sep 62 and 1 Jan 63?]).

He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (24).

He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 24 December 1863, at Bealton, Virginia (1, 16, 21).

He was promoted to first sergeant on 9 March 1864 (4, 16).

He was promoted to first lieutenant on 10 October 1864 (1, 16, 18). On 30 October 1864, he received a commission as first lieutenant from the Governor of Pennsylvania (5). On 31 October 1864, Sellers asked that he be discharged to enable him to accept that commission (5, 26 [discharged 1 Nov]). He was mustered in on 3 November 1864, by Captain Laughlin, of the 155th Pennsylvania Infantry (18, 22).

On 6 November 1864, he was assigned to command company K in addition to his present command (F) (7). On 11 November 1864, captains John Donnell, William Michael, and Lieutenant John Graham were appointed a board of survey to determine for how much government property in company K he was responsible (8).

He was relieved from commanding company K, and appointed acting adjutant and acting regimental quartermaster on 30 November 1864, shortly before Howard Shipley (then acting adjutant) was discharged (9, 23).

He was a witness to the charge preferred against Thomas Walter on 4 January 1865 (6).

In January 1865 and 31 March 1865 he was acting adjutant (various orders).

On 16 January 1865, he was relieved as acting adjutant by Adam Murphy (10).

He went on leave on 17 January 1865 (12, citing special order 14, 5th army corps). He returned on 1 February 1865, when it expired (12).

He was promoted to adjutant effective 3 November 1864 (1, 2, 3 [19 Nov 1864], 16 [17 May 1865], 25 [reported 18 May 1865]).

On 20 May 1865, he was relieved of duty as acting regimental quartermaster, and ordered to turn over all public property to Archibald Nimmo (11).

On 29 May 1865, 31 May 1865, and 4, 5, and 9 June 1865, he was adjutant (various orders). On 13 June 1865, William Carpenter wrote him asking for a leave.

On 15 and 16 June 1865, William Letourneau was acting adjutant (various orders). (Other men were acting adjutant at roughly the same time.)

On 15 June 1865, he went on a leave, which expired on 4 July 1865 (12, citing special order 132, 5th Corps).

He was adjutant on 6 July (order).

He mustered out with the regiment on 10 July 1865 (1, 3, 16, 17). He was then the regimental adjutant (1, 3).