He was 19 years old when he was enlisted (5, 8 [16 in 1860], 10 [21 at death in 1864]). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (5, 8, 21).
In 1860, he was living in the 12th ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (8). He was living with his mother, Maria Cole (8). He was an apprentice morocco dresser (8).
He was 5 feet 8 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, dark eyes, and brown hair (5). He had a scar on his upper lip (5).
He was enlisted and mustered into service on 16 September 1861 (co.A) or 18 September 1861 (co.C) (1, 5). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Smith (5). He initially served as a private in company A (1).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 30 December 1863 (1, 6). He was enlisted for three years, at Bealton, Virginia, by Lieutenant Swan (6).
On 28 July 1863, he was reported as having been dropped because he was missing in the campaign (probably after 11 June 1863) (3). He had returned by 28 July 1863 (3).
He was transfered to company C on 16 February 1864 (2, but see 3). He may have been mistakenly transferred to company A when he reenlisted (see fact of the week #102).
He died of typhoid fever, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 18 January 1864, while he was on furlough (1, 4, 6, 10). He died at, or was buried from, 3 Kessler Alley, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (10). On 21 January 1864, he was buried in American Mechanics' Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (4).
On 2 March 1864, his mother, Maria Cole, applied successfully for a pension (7, 9).
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)
[Bates lists two Francis Cole's, one in co. A (not accounted for), and the other in co.C (died at Philadelphia). His source obviously missed special order 4, HQ 91st PA, 16 Feb 64, which transfers Cole from co.A to co.C.]
2 special order 4, HQ 91st PA, 16 February 1864
3 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 28 July 1863 (Private Cole, co.C)
4 company C, register of deaths (Francis C Cole)
5 company C, descriptive roll, entry 25 (Francis C Cole)
6 company C, untitled list, probably of status at muster out, entry 87 (Francis C Cole)
7 pension index, by name (Francis C Cole)
8 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 12th ward, microfilm series M653, film 1162, page 330 = 110 handwritten (Francis Cole)
9 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company C (Francis C Cole)
10 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 18 January 1864 (Francis C Cole )
[I did not find an entry for him in Ancestry's index to the 1890 veterans' census]
| line | 12 | 13 |
| Dwelling number | 787 | |
| Family number | 919 | |
| Name | Maria Cole | Francis " |
| Age | 51 | 16 |
| Sex | F | M |
| Color | ||
| Occupation | Ap Morroco Dre [?] [sc. apprentice morocco dresser] | |
| Value of real estate owned | ||
| Value of personal estate | ||
| Place of birth | " [sc. Penna] | " |
| Married within year | ||
| Attended school within year | ||
| Cannot read & write | ||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |