He was born in Pennsylvania (8, 9). He was 21 years old when he was enlisted (8, 9, 10 [22]).
He was 5 feet 8-1/2 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, black eyes, and black hair (8, 9).
He was drafted (1, 6, 8, 9, 10). He was enlisted and mustered into service on 17 July 1863 in the 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry (1, 6, 8, 9, 10). He served in company M (12). He was enlisted for three years (8, 9). He was mustered in as a private, in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania (10). His service was credited to the 23rd congressional district (8, 9).
He was wounded in May or June 1864 (6).
He was transferred on 20 July 1864 from company M of the 62nd Pennsylvania to the 91st (1, 10). On 21 July 1864, he, and the other members of companies L and M, were assigned to company G (2). On 22 July 1864, they were transferred to company K, following brigade orders to assign them to the smallest company (3, 6, 12 [15 Aug]). He was then absent, as a private (3). He served in company K (1).
On 27 April 1865, he was promoted to corporal, effective 1 April 1865 (2). His surname was crossed out, which may mean that the order was cancelled (4).
On 31 May 1865, he was promoted to corporal, effective 31 May (5). He was promoted on 6 June 1865 to corporal (1, 10).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 10, 12).
On 26 May 1868, he applied succesfully for a pension (11, 12).
He died on 20 March 1916, at Karma City, Pennsylvania (12).
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) (Reuben Berger)
2 special order 65, HQ 91st PA, 21 July 1864 (Reuben Berger)
3 special order 66, HQ 91st PA, 22 July 1864 (Reuben Berger)
4 special order 25, HQ 91st PA, 27 April 1865 (Ruben Berger) [Note: his surname is crossed out. Although other entries in the same order have the entire line crossed out, I suspect his promotion was also cancelled.]
5 special order 31, HQ 91st PA, 31 May 1865
6 company K, second list of non-commissioned officers (Reuben Berger)
7 company K, second descriptive roll (Reuben Berger)
8 company K, third descriptive roll (Reuben Berger)
9 company K, fourth descriptive roll (Reuben Berger)
10 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 13 May 2005 (Reuben Berger)
11 pension index, by name (Reuben Berger)
12 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company K (Reuben Barger [sic])
[I did not find an entry for him in the index on <www.ancestry.com> to the 1890 veterans' census (searched April 2007)]