He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (4, 6). He was 23 years old when he was enlisted (4).
He was a clerk when he was enlisted (4).
He was 5 feet 7-1/2 inches tall, and had a light complexion, grey eyes, and dark hair (4).
He was enlisted and mustered into service on 10 October 1861 (1, 4). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Colonel Zinn (4). He was mustered in as a private in company H (1).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (5). He was then a corporal (5). The company H register of non-commissioned officers does not mention him.
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer (1).
He died of disease--phthisis pulmonalis--on 11 May 1864 at Chester Barracks, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 2, 3, 6). He was then a corporal (1, 3, 6). He was buried from Frankford Road at Otter Street (6). He was buried on 16 May 1864, at American Mechanics' Cemetery (6).
On 6 October 1864, his mother successfully applied for a pension (7).
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) (Robert J Armstrong)
2 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 9 June 1864 (Pri Armstrong)
3 company H, register of deaths (Robert Armstrong)
4 company H, descriptive roll, #38 (Robert J Armstrong)
5 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (Robt J Armstrong)
6 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 11 May 1864 (Robert Armstrong)
7 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company H (Robert J Armstrong)
[I did not find an entry for him in the Ancestry index to the pension index by name (searched September 2006)]
[I did not find an entry for him in the Ancestry index to the 1890 veterans' census (searched September 2006)]
I hereby certify that Robert Armstrong Corpl of Co. H 91st Regt Pa Vols. died at this Hospital on May 11th 1864 of Phthisis Pulmonalis.
Geo Rex U.S. Vols