He was born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, and was 24 years old when he enlisted (2). He was a farmer (2).
He was 5 feet 7 inches tall, had a dark complexion, dark eyes, and dark hair (2).
He was mustered into service as a recruit [i.e. a volunteer?] for three years in company E on 21 January 1864, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 2). He was enlisted by Lieutenant Shipley, and was mustered into service by Lieutenant Hiderburn (2).
He was wounded in action on 1 June 1864 at Cold Harbor, Virginia (Bethesda Church), while the regiment was getting into line (1, 2).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1).
His widow, Josephine Gleason, applied successfully for a pension on 17 December 1870 (3, 4).
His minor dependent, Josephine Freeborn, applied successfully for a pension on 17 July 1876 (3, 4).
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 Company E descriptive roll, entry 116 (James Gleason)
3 Pension index, by name. Searched 3 February 2001, on <www.ancestry.com>.
4 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company E (James Gleason)
[I did not find an entry for him in the Ancestry index to the 1890 veteran's census (searched May 2007)]