He was 20 years old when he enlisted (perhaps when he re-enlisted in 1863 rather than in 1861) (2 [21 in 1863?], 10 [20]). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2, 10).
He was a harness maker (2, 10). He was living in Philadelphia when he was enrolled (10).
He was 5 feet 4 inches tall, had a light complexion, grey eyes, and dark hair (2, 10 [dark hair]).
He was enrolled and mustered into service as a private in company E on 23 December 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 10, 11, 14).
He was one of eleven men taken prisoner at the Battle of Fredericksburg, when company E was left behind (2). On 19 May 1863, he (along with eight others) returned to the regiment, as a paroled prisoner (9).
He fought at the battle of Gettysburg (3).
On 23 June 1863, he (along with three other men) was detailed to serve in the Provost Guard at Brigade Headquarters, and was ordered to report to Lieutenant William Walker, 146th New York Volunteers, who was the Brigade Provost Marshall (4).
He re-enlisted for three years as a veteran volunteer, at Bealton Virginia, on 24 December 1863 (1, 2, 10 [26 Dec]). He was enlisted by Lieutenant Carpenter, and mustered into service by Lieutenant Swann (2).
On 1 March 1864, Colonel Gregory detached him to collect conscripts, at Philadelphia (5). On 27 April 1864, Sinex reported that he had been relieved from Camp Cadwalader, but had not yet reported to the regiment (6). He was still detailed as a clerk in September (?) 1864, having been detailed on 3 March 1864 by Major Gilbert (8).
He was absent, on detached duty, at muster out (1, 10). He was discharged on 14 July 1865 (11).
On 25 April 1890, he applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (13, 14).
In 1890, he was living at 1020 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (11, 12). He was a policeman (12). He suffered from chronic rheumatism (11).
He again applied for a pension on 11 February 1901 (14).
He died on 27 January 1920, at the National Soldiers' Home, in Virginia (14).
On 14 June 1922, his widow, Mary L Clayton, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (13, 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 descriptive roll, company E, entry 98 (James H Clayton)
3 Pennsylvania Memorial, 91st Pennsylvania plaque, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (James H Clayton)
4 special order 40, HQ 91st PA, 23 June 1863
5 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 7 March 1864
6 letter, Sinex to Fowler, 27 April 1864
7 special order 13, HQ 91st PA, 1 March 1864
8 [list of detailed men, probably from Sept 1864] (James H Clayton)
9 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 19 May 1863 (Private Clayton)
10 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 6 May 2004 (James H Clayton)
11 1890 US census, veterans schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 182, page 1 (image 1223 on <www.ancestry.com>), line 2 (James H Clayton)
12 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory (James H Clayton)
13 pension index, by name (James H Clayton)
14 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company E (James H Clayton)