He was 22 years old when he was enlisted (3, 4 [30]). He was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (3, 4).
He was a clerk (3, 4).
He was 5 feet 7 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, brown eyes, and light hair (3, 4).
He was enlisted and mustered into service as a private on 29 February 1864, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 3, 4). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Lieutenant Gregory (3). He was mustered by Captain Hildeburn (3). He was owed $300 in bounty, and may have been paid $17.27 (3). He served as a private in company B (1).
He was reported absent without leave on 26 April 1864 (5; see also 7). On 27 April 1864, Sinex asked that he be sent to the regiment (2).
He was dropped from the rolls on 30 June 1864, as a deserter (1, 4, 5 [3 July]).
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 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 27 April 1864
3 company B, [second] descriptive roll, entry 46 (William I Johnson)
4 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 1 Jun 2004 (Wm J Johnston)
5 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 26 April 1864 (Johnson)
6 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 3 July 1864 (Private Johnston)
7 monthly return, company B, May 1864 (Wm S Johnson)