He was 21 when he enlisted (5 [24 in 1863], 12 [21], 20 [57 at death in 1898]). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (5, 12, 20).
He was a butcher (5, 12). He was living in Philadelphia when he was enrolled (12).
He was 5 feet 9 inches tall, had a dark complexion, brown eyes, and dark hair (5, 12 [dark complexion, dark eyes, brown hair]).
He was enrolled and mustered into service as a private in company E on 20 August 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 12, 15).
He was one of eleven men taken prisoner at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, probably on 16 December 1862, when company E was left behind (5). On 19 May 1863, he (along with eight others) returned to the regiment, as a paroled prisoner (11).
He fought in the battle of Gettysburg (8).
He re-enlisted for three years, as a veteran volunteer, in Bealton, Virginia, on 24 December 1863 (1, 5, 12 [26 Dec 63]). He was enlisted by Lieutenant Carpenter, and was mustered into service by Lieutenant Swann (this may relate to his original enlistment) (5).
On 1 March 1864, Colonel Gregory detached him to collect conscripts, at Philadelphia (9). He returned from detached service on 16 April 1864 (13).
He was detailed as a mounted messenger at corps headquarters on 18 April 1864, and ordered to report there at 6 pm (6, 14).
He was promoted on 16 September 1864 from private to first sergeant, for soldierly conduct, replacing John L Graham, who had been promoted (1, 4, 5, 7, 12, 18).
He was wounded in the leg on 27 October 1864 , while charging the enemy works at Hatcher's Run, Virginia (1, 5).
He was promoted on 26 May 1865 from first sergeant to second lieutenant (1, 2, 3, 4, 12).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 12, 15).
On 14 September 1870, he applied successfully for a pension (17, 19).
In 1890, he was living at 1438 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (15). He was a butcher (15). He was living with Henry and Samuel Josephs (15).
On 21 October 1898, he died, of intestinal carcinoma [and] exhaustion, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (19, 21). He was a butcher (21). He was married (21). He died at, or was buried from, 1438 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (21). On 25 October 1898, he was buried at Woodlands Cemetery (21).
On 14 January 1898 [? perhaps 1899?], his widow, Elizabeth Griffith, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (17, 19).
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)
3 list of commissioned officers, company E
4 list of non-commissioned officers, company E
5 descriptive roll, company E, entry 35 (John J Griffith)
6 special order 36, headquarters, 91st Pennsylvania Infantry, 18 April 1864
7 special order 79, headquarters, 91st Pennsylvania Infantry, 16 September 1864
8 Pennsylvania Memorial, 91st Pennsylvania plaque, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (John J Griffith)
9 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 7 March 1864
10 special order 13, HQ 91st PA, 1 March 1864
11 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 19 May 1863 (Private Griffith)
12 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 6 May 2004 (John J Griffith; rolls also have 'J John Griffith')
13 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 16 April 1864 (Griffith)
14 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 19 April 1864 (Griffith)
15 1890 US Census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 585, page 4 (image 1908 on Ancestry) (John J Griffith)
16 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory (John J Griffith)
17 pension index, by name (John J Griffith)
18 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 17 September 1864 (John Griffith)
19 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company E (John J Griffiths)
20 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 21 october 1898, #8740 (John J Griffith)
[I did not find an entry for him on RootsWeb WorldConnect (searched June 2007)]