He was 19 years old when he enlisted in 1861 (3). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3).
He was a teamster (3).
He was 5 feet 7-1/2 inches tall, and had a light complexion, gray eyes, and light hair (3).
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 17 September 1861 (1, 3). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Smith (3). He served as a private in company A (1).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (6).
On 28 July 1863, he was detailed for duty with the brigade train (2).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer (1).
He was missing in May 1864 (7).
He was probably in arrest by 9 June 1864 (and perhaps earlier) (4).
At some point (probably about the time the regiment mustered out on 10 July 1865), he was serving time at Fort Delaware by sentence of a general court martial (3).
According to the regimental records, he was discharged by sentence of court martial, carried out by general order 47, Headquarters, Military Governor, Alexandria, Virginia, 7 September 1864 (6). The regiment reported the discharge on 15 September 1864 (6).
According to the published regimental roster, he was discharged on 1 July 1865 by general order (1).
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 42, HQ 91st PA, 28 July 1863 (John Knecth)
3 company A descriptive book, entry 37 (John J Knecht)
4 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 9 June 1864 (unnamed)
5 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 15 September 1864 (Jno Knecht)
6 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (John J Knecht)
7 'The Ninety-first Pennsylvania volunteers', Philadelphia Inquirer 8 June 1864 page 3 (John G Knecht)
[I did not find an entry for him in the index on <www.ancestry.com> to the 1890 veterans' census]
[I did not find an entry for him in the index on <www.ancestry.com> to the pension index by name cards (searched April 2006)]