He was born in Pennsylvania (5). He was 30 years old when he was enlisted (5).
He was a farm[er] (?) when he was enlisted (5).
He was 6 [?] feet tall, and had a fair complexion, grey eyes, and dark hair (5 [could be 5 feet]).
He was drafted (1, 5). He was enlisted and mustered into service in the 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on 16 July 1863 (1, 5). He served in company M (7). He was enlisted for three years (5). His service was credited to the 23rd congressional district (5).
He was transferred from company M of the 62nd PA to the 91st PA on 20 July 1864 (1, 8). On 21 July 1864, he, and the other members of companies L and M, were assigned to company G (2). On 22 July 1864, they were transferred to company K, following brigade orders to assign them to the smallest company (3). He was then present, as a private, on duty as provost guard at brigade headquarters (3). He served as a private in company K (1, 8).
He was killed in action on 28 October 1864 at Hatcher's Run, Virginia, by being shot in the head (1, 4 [27 Oct 65 [sic], 6).
On 6 February 1865, his widow, Maria J Hamilton, applied successfully for a pension (7, 8).
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 special order 65, HQ 91st PA, 21 July 1864 (John Hamilton)
3 special order 66, HQ 91st PA, 22 July 1864 (John Hamilton)
4 company K, register of deaths (Jon Hamilton)
5 company K, third descriptive roll (John Hamilton)
6 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 7 November 1864 (Privt Hamilton)
7 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company K (John Hamilton)
8 pension index by name (John Hamilton)