He was 20 years old when he enlisted in 1861 (7, 8). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (7).
He was a hatter (7, 8). He was living at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when he was enrolled (8).
He was 5 feet 10 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, dark eyes, and dark hair (7, 8).
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 23 August 1861 as a corporal in company A (1, 6, 7, 8). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Starr (7, 8).
At some point, he was reduced to the ranks for disobedience of orders and unsoldierlike [conduct?] (6).
On 12 June 1863, he was promoted to 3rd corporal of company A (6).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (11).
On 1 October 1863, he was promoted to second corporal, replacing Simeon Zane (3).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 26 December 1863, at Bealton, Virginia (1, 8).
On 12 March 1864, he was reported under arrest (9).
On 4 July 1864, Colonel Gregory detailed him for duty at brigade headquarters (4, 5 [5 July]). In September 1864 [?], he was a color bearer at Brigade Headquarters (5).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 8).
Kate Biedel, his widow, applied unsuccessfully for a pension on 7 April 1879 (2, 10).
His granddaughter Margaret Crawford applied successfully on 19 March 1886 from the District of Columbia (2, 10).
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 pension index, by regiment (John Beidel)
3 special order 99, HQ 91st PA, 1 October 1863 (John Biddle)
4 special order 61, HQ 91st PA, 4 July 1864 (John Beidel)
5 [list of detailed men, probably from Sept 1864] (John Biedel)
6 register of non-commissioned officers, co.A (John Biedel) (several entries)
7 company A descriptive roll, entry 91 (John Biedel)
8 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 5 May 2004 (John Biedel; muster-in roll has Riedel)
9 consolidated morning report, 12 March 1864 (Biedel)
10 pension index, by name (John Beidel)
11 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (John Beidell)
[I did not find an entry for him in the 1890 veterans' census (searched October 2005)]