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William Letourneau

Before the war

He was 18 years old when he was enlisted (20). He was 20 years old when he reenlisted in 1863 (21, 25 [27 in 1870], 26 [36 in 1880]). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (20, 21, 25, 26).

He was a turner when he was enlisted (20, 21).

Description

He was 5 feet 2 inches tall, and had a light complexion, grey eyes, and light hair (20, 21).

During the war

He was enlisted and mustered into service on 11 September 1861 (1, 20, 30). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Starr (20). He served in company G (1).

On 19 March 1863, he returned to duty from Brigade headquarters (16).

He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (28).

He was promoted on 26 December 1863 to corporal by special order 5 (1, 6, 19).

He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 26 December 1863 (1, 21). He was enlisted for three years, at Bealton Virginia, by Lieutenant Swan (21).

On 1 March 1864, Colonel Gregory detached him to collect conscripts, at Philadelphia (4). On 27 April 1864, Sinex reported that he had been relieved from Camp Cadwalader, but had not yet reported to the regiment (5).

His name was found on Sergeant Benjamin S. Redheffer's body after his accidental death on 2 May 1864, along with the address "1509 Brown Street, Philadelphia" (3).

On 5 November 1864, he was promoted to sergeant effective 1 November 1864 by special order 104 (1, 10, 19, 20, 21).

On 7 January 1865, he was promoted to first sergeant, effective 1 January (11, 19, 20, 21).

On 29 January 1865, he went on a furlough, which ended on 13 February 1865 (17).

On 4 March 1865, Sellers asked that he be discharged to allow him to be mustered in as first lieutenant (8). He was promoted to first lieutenant on 17 March 1865 (1, 2 [has 10 March], 18 [17 Mar 65], 29).

He was a witness to the charge and specifications preferred against John Wright in March 1865 (9).

On 1 May 1865, he was assigned to command company A, and to give John Graham a receipt for all property (12).

On 1 June 1865, William Beaver was assigned to command company A, and ordered to receipt to Letourneau for all property (13).

He was acting adjutant for the regiment on 15 and 16 June 1865 (various orders, including 14).

On 24 June 1865, he went on a leave, which expired on 9 July 1865 (15, citing SO 139 HQ 5th Corps).

He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 2, 30).

After the war

He was an original member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (27).

In 1870, he was living in the 15th ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (25). He was living with his wife Sophia and child Frank (25). He was a street car conductor, and owned $100 in personal property (25).

In 1880, he was living at 1302 [?] Cuthbert Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (26). He ewas living with his wife Sophia, and children Frank, William, John, Susannah, Joseph, and Harry (26). His occupation was "lager beer saloon" (26).

In 1890, he was living at 1950 North 4th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (22, 23). He was a brakeman (23). Frank Le[tourneau?] was also living there (23).

On 19 August 1905, he applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (24, 30).

He again applied for a pension on 14 February 1907 (30).

He died in 1909 (30).

Sources

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 Official Army Register

3 'A soldier killed by the cars' [report of discovery of Redheffer's body]. Journal + Statesman 6 May 1864.

4 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 7 March 1864

5 letter, Sinex to Fowler, 27 April 1864

6 special order 5, HQ 91st PA, 26 December 1863
[Although the order is dated 26 Dec 63, it is between orders dated 16 Feb 64 and 22 Feb 64, and the order number fits in the 1864 sequence, but not in the 1863 sequence. It was therefore probably issued in February 1864.]

7 special order 13, HQ 91st PA, 1 March 1864

8 letter Sellers to Farnsworth, 4 March 1865

9 charge and specifications preferred against John Wright

10 special order 104, HQ 91st PA, 5 November 1864 (Wm Letourneau)

11 special order 3, HQ 91st PA, 7 January 1865

12 special order 26, HQ 91st PA, 1 May 1865

13 special order 32, HQ 91st PA, 1 June 1865

14 special order 36, HQ 91st PA, 16 June 1865 (Wm Letournea)

15 undated officers' furlough list, in regimental letter, order, guard, and furlough book (Wm Letourneau)

16 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 19 March 1863 (Pri Letourneau)

17 enlisted men's furloughs (Wm Letourneau, 1st sgt, B)

18 company G, list of commissioned officers (William Letourneau)

19 company G, list of non-commissioned officers (Wm Letourneau)

20 company G, descriptive roll, entry 46 (William Letourneau)

21 company G, second descriptive roll, entry [3] (William Letourneau)

22 1890 US census, veterans schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 370, page 1 (image 800 on <www.ancestry.com>), line 3 (William Letourneau)

23 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory (William Le [sic])

24 pension index, by name (William Letourneau)

25 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 15th ward, microfilm series M593, film 1399, page 556 = 28 handwritten (William Letourneau)

26 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 160, microfilm series T9, film 1171, page 68 A = 5 handwritten (Wm Letourneau)

27 "Original Companions of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States" (William Letourneau)

28 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (W Letournea)

29 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 18 March 1865 (1st sergt Letourneau)

30 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company G (William L LeTourneau)

[I did not find an entry for him on Rootsweb WorldConnect (searched June 2007)]

1870 census

[1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 15th ward, microfilm series M593, film 1399, page 556 = 28 handwritten]
line123
Dwelling-house number175  
Family number224  
NameLetourneau William- Sophia- Frank S
Age27263
SexMFM
ColorWWW
OccupationStreet Car ConductorKeeping House 
Real estate value   
Personal estate value100  
BirthplacePennaPennaPenna
Father foreign born   
Mother foreign born   
Birth month if born within year   
Marriage month if married within year   
Attended school past year   
Can't read   
Can't write   
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc.   
Male US citizen at least 21 years old1  
Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ...   

1880 census

[1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 160, microfilm series T9, film 1171, page 68 A = 5 handwritten]
line3637383940414243
street nameCuthbert St
house number1302 [??]       
[only '13' is clear]
dwelling visit #40       
family visit #9       
nameLeTourneau Wm- Sophia H- Frank [illegible]- William- John H- Susanah- Joseph [?] G- Harry [?]
colorWWWWWWWW
sexMFMMMFMM
age36351398659/12
month born if born in year       Oct
relationshipHusbandWifeSonSonSonDaughterSonSon
single  111111
married11      
widowed/divorced        
married during year        
occupationLager Beer SaloonHouseKeeper      
months unemployed        
currently ill?        
blind        
deaf/dumb        
idiotic        
insane        
disabled        
school this year  1     
can't read        
can't write        
birthplacePhilad Pa"""""""
father's birthplacePhilad Pa"""""""
mother's birthplacePhila Pa"""""""

1890 census, veterans schedule

[1890 US census, veterans schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 370, page 1 (image 800 on <www.ancestry.com>), line 3]
[line] 3
[house] 20
[family] 23
[name] William Letourneau
[rank] Lieut US
[company] G
[unit] 91 Pa Vols
[enlistment date] 14 [perhaps 17?] Feb 1861
[discharge date] 11 Dec 1865
[length of service] 4 years, 0 months, 11 days
[post office address] 1950 N 4th St
[disability incurred] x
[remarks] x

1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory

[searched transcription on <www.ancestry.com>, February 2005]
William Le [sic], brakeman, h 1950 N 4th
Frank Le [sic], hatter, h 1950 N 4th

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revised 26 Nov 08
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