Bates has two John A Beaver's. One served in companies F and D, from 1861 through 1863. The other served in company A from 1864 through 1865 (1). Because the pension index (2) has a John A Beaver in company A who also served in company D, and because Bates (1) claims he is a veteran, I have assumed they are the same person.
He was 18 years old when he enlisted in 1861 (5; 4 has 21 in 1864). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (4).
He was a baker (4).
He was 5 feet 9 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair (4).
He was mustered into service as a private on 18 October 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 5). He initially served as a private in company F (1).
He was transferred on 4 December 1861 to company D (1, 5, 8, 12).
He was discharged on 3 February 1863 on surgeon's certificate of disability (1, 5, 6 [medical board]).
He reenlisted and was mustered into service as a veteran volunteer on 27 January 1864, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 5). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Lieutenant Burk (4). He served as a private in company A (1).
He was wounded on 12 May 1864 at Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia (1, 3, 11). On 29 June 1864, he may have been reported dead of wounds received in action (7).
On 28 September 1864, he was reported returned from absent sick (10).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 4).
He applied successfully for a pension on 29 January 1875 (2, 9, 12).
Mary E Beaver, a minor dependent, applied unsuccessfully on 12 [?] May [?] 1888 from Pennsylvania for a pension (2, 9, 127).
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) (John A Beaver)
2 Pension index, by regiment (John A Beaver)
3 Thomas Walter. 'Personal recollections and experiences of an obscure soldier'. Grand Army Scout and Soldiers' Mail volume 3 number 46 page 2
4 company A descriptive roll, entry 132 (John A. Beaver)
5 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 5 May 2004 (John A Beaver; two cards, for co.A and co.D)
6 company D, register of men discharged, entry 24 (John A Beaver)
7 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 29 June 1864 (Private Beaver [identification uncertain])
8 company F, register of men transferred (John A Beaver)
9 pension index, by name (John A Beaver)
10 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 28 September 1864 (John Beaver)
11 'The Ninety-first Pennsylvania volunteers', Philadelphia Inquirer 8 June 1864 page 3 (John A Beaver)
12 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company D (John A Beaver)
[I did not find an entry for him in the 1890 veterans' census (searched October 2005)]