He was 18 years old when he was enlisted (3, 5). He was born in New York, New York, USA (5).
He was a newsboy when he was enlisted (5).
He was 5 feet 4 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and light hair (5).
He was enlisted and mustered into service on 2 October 1861 (1, 3 [3 Oct], 5). He was enlisted for three years, by Captain Smith, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3, 5). He was mustered in as a private, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3). He served as a private in company F (1).
He was discharged at camp in the field on 7 February 1863 on surgeon's certificate of disability (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
On 6 April 1883, he applied successfully for a pension (6).
His widow applied successfully for a pension (6).
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 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 8 February 1863 (John Murphy)
3 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 15 July 2004 (John Murphy)
4 company F, register of men discharged (John Murphy)
5 company F, descriptive roll, #19 (John Murphy)
6 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company F (John Murphy)