He was 25 years old when he was enlisted (10, 14 [68 at death in 1903], 16 [68 at death in 1903]). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (10).
He was a tailor (10).
He was 5 feet 5-1/2 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair (10). He had a heavy scar on his left wrist (10).
He was enlisted and mustered into service on 24 August 1861 (1, 10, 11, 15). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Colonel Reiff (10, 11). He served as a sergeant in company C (1).
He was appointed corporal on 21 September 1861 (7).
He was promoted to fourth sergeant on 22 December 1862 [?] (7, 8).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (13). He was then a sergeant (13).
On 8 August 1863, he was sent to the Division Hospital (5).
On 30 December 1863, Sinex reported that he was one of 38 men who had less than fifteen months to serve who were unwilling to reenlist (4). On 2 January 1864, he was transferred to the 155th Pennsylvania Infantry, while those eligible were on veterans' leave (6).
He was wounded on 18 June 1864 at Petersburg, Virginia (1).
On 29 July 1864, he returned to duty from being absent wounded (12).
He mustered out near Petersburg, Virginia, on 20 September 1864 when his term expired (1, 9, 10, 11, 15). He was then a sergeant (9).
He applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension on 24 March 1891 (3, 15).
He died in Philadelphia Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of nephritis, with myocarditis contributing, on 7 May 1903 (2, 14, 16). He was received from 158 Brown Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (16). He was a tinsmith (16). He was widowed (16). The funeral was held on Monday at 441 North Sixth Street, Philadelphia (John A Franks' home) (14). He was buried in plot 362, Philadelphia National Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2, 16).
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 Philadelphia National Cemetery, interment records (searched 2 November 2000)
3 Veterans' administration. Pension index, by name. (Searched on <www.ancestry.com>, 13 January 2001.) (Charles Higgins)
4 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 30 December 1863
5 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 10 August 1863 (Sergt Higgins)
6 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 2 January 1864 (Higgins)
7 company C, List of non-commissioned officers, page 1, corporals (Chas Higgins)
8 company C, List of non-commissioned officers, page 2, sergeants (Charles Higgins)
9 company C, register of men discharged, number 27 (Charles Higgins)
10 company C, descriptive roll, entry 42 (Charles Higgins)
11 company C, untitled list, probably of status at muster out, entry 9 (Charles Higgins)
12 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 29 July 1864 (Sergt Higgins)
13 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (Charles Higgins)
14 [death notice], Philadelphia Inquirer, 11 May 1903, page 15 (Charles Higgins)
15 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company C (Charles Higgins)
16 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 7 May 1903, #25278 [?? last digit especially unclear] (Charles Higgins)