He was born in Montgomery [County], Pennsylvania (9, 10, 14 [Philadelphia PA]). He was 29 years old when he was enlisted (9, 10, 14 [43 at death in 1873]).
He was a brass tur[ner] when he was enlisted (10).
He was 5 feet 5-1/2 inches tall, and had a light complexion, grey eyes, and light hair (9, 10).
He was enlisted and mustered into service on 3 October 1861 (1, 9, 10). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Casner (9, 10). He was mustered in as a private in company K, by Lieutenant Pierce, US (1, 9, 10).
He was promoted to corporal on 3 December 1861 (7).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (12). He was then a corporal (12).
On 29 August 1863, he was detailed to work with conscripts (2, 4).
On 23 September 1863, he returned to duty (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 (2). On 2 January 1864, he was transferred to the 155th Pennsylvania Infantry, while those eligible were on veterans' leave (6, 8).
He was wounded on 18 June 1864 at Petersburg, Virginia (1).
He was discharged, as a corporal, on 21 October 1864 on surgeon's certificate (1, 11 [on expiration of term]).
On 4 November 1864, he applied successfully for a pension (13).
He died on 11 October 1873, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of "injuries in falling" (13, 14). He was married (14). He was a machinist (14). On 15 October 1873, he was buried, in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (14).
His widow applied successfully for a pension (13).
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, 30 December 1863
3 special order 66, HQ 91st PA, 29 August 1863
4 consolidated morning report, HQ 91st PA, 30 August 1863 (Corpl Marple)
5 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 23 September 1863 (Corp Marple)
6 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 2 January 1864 (Marple)
7 company K, list of non-commissioned officers (Thomas Marple)
8 company K, list of men transferred, #29 (Thomas Marple)
9 company K, descriptive roll (Thomas Marple)
10 company K, third descriptive roll (Thomas Marple)
11 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 30 October 1864 (Corpl Marple)
12 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (Thomas Marple)
13 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company K (Thomas J Marple)
14 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 11 October 1873 (Thomas J Marple)
[I did not find an entry for him in Ancestry's index to the pension index by name (searched March 2007)--but one linked to a blank page, and another linked to a card with a Philadelphia address]
[I did not find an entry for him in Ancestry's index to the 1890 veterans' census (searched March 2007) (BUT a Thomas Marple who served in the 90th or 95th Pennsylvania from 1861-1864 (different dates than above) was living in Philadelphia]