He was born in Ireland (5, 6). He was 23 years old when he was enlisted (5, 6 [25]).
He was a weaver (5, 6).
He was 5 feet 7 inches tall, and had a light complexion, grey eyes, and light hair (5, 6).
He was enlisted and mustered into service on 30 September 1861 (1, 5). He was enlisted for three years, by Captain Dye, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (5). He served as a private in company F (1).
He was wounded on 2 or 3 May 1863 at Chancellorsville, Virginia (1, 7).
He deserted on 19 June 1863 from West Philadelphia Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (4). On 18 September 1863, he was reported deserted from a hospital in Philadelphia (2). He returned on 19 November 1863, and was reported regained on 20 November 1863 (3, 4).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 24 December 1863 (1, 6). He was enlisted for three years, at Bealton, Virginia, by Lieutenant W H Carpenter (6).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company.
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) (William Gilliland)
2 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 18 September 1863 (Private Gilliland)
3 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 20 November 1863 (Gilliland)
4 company F, register of deserters, #24 (William Gilliland)
5 company F, descriptive roll, #45 (William Gilliland)
6 company F, second descriptive roll, #12 (William Gilliland)
7 'Further from General Hooker's army', Philadelphia Inquirer, 7 May 1863, page 1 (W Gilliland)
[I did not find an entry for him in the index to the 1890 veteran's census on <www.ancestry.com> (searched November 2006)]
[I did not find an entry for him in the index to the pension index by name cards, on <www.ancestry.com> (searched November 2006)]