Bates (1) has 'Garaity'; the company records (2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) have 'Garrity'. The 1890 census has 'Garrett' (8).
The pension cards record his name as John McGarrity alias John Garrity (9, 11).
He was 18 years old when he enlisted (2). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2). He was a hostler (2).
He was 5 feet 5 inches tall, had a light complexion, grey eyes, and light hair (2).
He enlisted and was mustered into service for three years in company E on 26 December 1861, at Philadelphia Pennsylvania (1, 2, 8). He was enlisted and mustered into service by Captain Lentz (2).
He was wounded in the hand and arm on 3 May 1863 at Chancellorsville, Virginia (1, 2).
On 26 March 1864, he was reported sent to hospital (7).
He deserted from Philadelphia Pennsylvania, on 14 July 1864, apparently from McClellan Hospital (3, 5, 6). He was arrested on 29 October 1864, at Philadelphia Pennsylvania (3), turned over to Jacob Stretch (the provost martial for the third district of Pennsylvania) on 2 November 1864, and charged with absence without leave (5, 6). He was tried by a court martial convened at Alexandria Virginia on Monday 19 December 1864, charged with desertion (2, 6). He was found guilty. On 14 January 1865, he was sentenced to forfeit all pay and allowances due him, to forfeit 10 dollars per month of his pay for the remainder of his term, and to make up all the time he had missed (2; 3 mentions only making good lost time; 6).
He mustered out on 26 April 1865 when his term expired, at Noteways [??] Court House Virginia (1, 4, 8 [30 Apr 1865], 10).
On 20 May 1865, he successfully applied for a pension from Pennsylvania (9, 11).
He died on 20 February 1877 (11).
In 1890, he (perhaps his mother?) was living at 10 Knights Court, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (8). His mother was alive (8). He had been wounded (8). Matthew Garrett was also living there (8).
On 17 July 1890, his mother, Bridget McGarrity, successfully applied for a pension from Pennsylvania (9, 11).
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 100 (John Garrity)
3 register of deserters, company E, entry 21
4 company E, register of men discharged, number 39 (John Garrity)
5 charge and specification, headquarters, Provost Martial, Third District of Pennsylvania, 24 November 1864
6 general order 30, headquarters, Military Governor, Alexandria Virginia, 14 January 1865
7 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 26 March 1864 (Pri Garrity)
8 1890 US census, veterans schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 179, page [1] (image 1214 on <www.ancestry.com>), line 2 (John Garrett)
9 pension index, by name (John McGarrity, alias John Garrity)
10 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 28 April 1865 (Chas K Willis)
11 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company E (and second card) (John McGarrity, alias John Garrity)