He was 23 years old when he was enlisted (6, 8, 9, 10). He was born in Germany (6, 8, 9, 10).
He was a laborer when he was enlisted (6, 8, 9, 10). He was living in Birmingham, Alleghany County, when he was enlisted (10).
He was 5 feet 3-1/2 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair (6, 8, 9, 10 [5'5-1/2"]).
He was drafted (1, 6, 8, 9, 10). He was enlisted and mustered into service in company L of the 62nd Pennsylvania on 10 July 1863 (1, 6, 8, 9, 10, 14 [20 Jul 61]). He was enlisted for three years, in Alleghany [County], Pennsylvania (6, 8, 9). He was mustered into service as a private, at Alleghany, Pennsylvania (10). His service was credited to the 22nd Congressional District (8, 9).
He was transferred on 20 July 1864 from company L of the 62nd Pennsylvania (1, 9, 10). On 21 July 1864, he, and the other members of companies L and M of the 62nd Pennsylvania, were assigned to company G (3). On 22 July 1864, they were transferred to company K, following brigade orders to assign them to the smallest company (4). He was then present, as a private (4). He served as a private in company K (1).
On 10 October 1864, he received a furlough for ten days, to visit his home in Burmingham, Alleghany County, Pennsylvania, because of illness in his family (2). He did not return when the furlough was over (2, 5). He was reported absent without leave starting 21 October 1864 (12). He was reported as a deserter on 30 November 1864 (11). He was arrested as a deserter, and returned to the regiment, on 9 January 1865 (2, 13).
He mustered out with his company on 20 [sic] July 1865 (1, 10, 14 [20 Jul]).
The Pennsylvania State Archives card refers to a "letter from W[ar] D[epartment] on file dated 6-8-86", but unfortunately doesn't summarize the contents (10).
On 5 May 1884, he successfully applied for a pension (14).
On 1 March 1907, he again applied for a pension (14).
He died on 4 June 1922, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (14).
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 Charge and specification preferred against Private John Blum.
3 special order 65, HQ 91st PA, 21 July 1864 (John Blumm)
4 special order 66, HQ 91st PA, 22 July 1864 (John Blumm)
5 company K, register of deserters, entry 28 (John Blum)
6 company K, descriptive roll (John Blumm)
7 company K, second descriptive roll (John Blum)
8 company K, third descriptive roll (John Blum)
9 company K, fourth descriptive roll (John Blum)
10 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 13 May 2005 (John Blum)
11 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 30 November 1864 (Privt Blum)
12 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 21 October 1864 (not named)
13 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 10 January 1865 (Privt Blumm)
14 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company K (John Blum)
[I did not find an entry for him in the index on <www.ancestry.com> to the pension index by name (searched March 2007)]