He was born to David and Eliser [?] Earnest (12). He was 29 years old when he enlisted in 1864 (3, 6, 12 [72 yrs 1 mo 25 dys at death in 1904]). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3, 12).
He was a differ [??] (3). (Perhaps the word is "dipper"?)
He was 5 feet 6-1/2 inches tall, had a dark complexion, brown eyes, and dark hair (3).
He enlisted, as a recruit, and was mustered into service as a private, for three years, on 2 February 1864, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 3, 6, 7). He served as a private in company E (1, 3). He was enlisted by Lieutenant Shipley, and mustered into service by Lieutenant Burke (3).
He was absent on a ten-day furlough beginning 17 October 1864 (11). He had returned from leave by 30 October 1864 (10).
On 3 February 1865, he was detailed as a stretcher bearer (5).
On 13 February 1865 he was detailed for duty in the 1st division ambulance corps (4).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 7).
He attended the 1884 meeting of the 91st's Survivors' Association (2).
On 13 June 1889, he applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (9).
In 1890, he was living at 1818 Bucknell Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (7, 8). He was a goffer (8).
He died on 16 May 1904, at 1443 Indiana Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of inanition, with alcoholic gastritis contributing (12). He was retired (12). He was widowed (12). He was buried at Chelton Hills Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 19 May 1904 (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)
2 'The ninety-first' [report of Survivor's Association meeting]. Grand Army Scout and Soldiers' Mail, 20 December 1884, page 6 column 2.
3 descriptive roll, company E, entry 128 (Robert T Earnest)
4 special order 7 [?], headquarters, 5th army corps, 13 [?] February 1865
5 letter, Donnell to Farnsworth, 3 February 1865
6 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 22 May 2004 (Robert T Earnest)
7 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 775, page 3 (image 2474 on <www.ancestry.com>) (Robert G Earnest)
8 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory (Robert T Earnest)
9 pension index, by name (Robert T Earnest)
10 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 30 October 1864 (not named, but no one absent on leave in company E)
11 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 17 October 1864 (Privt Earnest)
12 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 16 May 1904 (Robert T Earnest)