He was 26 years old when he was enlisted (6, 7, 9 [59 in ?1877]). He was born in Yorkshire, England (6, 7, 9).
He was a laborer (6, 7).
He was 5 feet 6 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, grey eyes, and dark hair (6, 7).
He was enlisted on 4 or 6 August 1862 (6 [6 Aug], 7 [4 Aug], 19 [19 Aug]). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [sic], by Captain [Major?] Lentz (6 [Harrisburg], 7 [Philadelphia]). He was mustered into service on 4 August 1862 (1). He served as a private in company D (1).
On 11 December 1863, he returned from hospital for duty (3).
On 30 December 1863, Sinex reported that he was one of 30 men who had more than fifteen months to serve who were willing to reenlist (2). On 2 January 1864, he was transferred to the 155th Pennsylvania Infantry, while those eligible were on veterans' leave (4).
He was wounded on 21 June 1864 (1).
He returned to duty on 1 August 1864 (8).
He was discharged at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 16 May 1865 by general order, Secretary of War (dated 3 May 1865) (1, 5, 7, 10 [18 May]). He was charged $46.47 for gun, accoutrements, knapsack, haversack, canteen, and shelter tent (5, 7). He had served for thirty-three months (9).
On 24 September 1877, he was admitted to the National Soldiers Home (9). He had a wounded left leg, but was not receiving a pension (9).
In 1882, he was present at the Central Branch of the National Soldiers Home (9).
On 8 October 1883, he successfully applied for a pension (10).
On 14 February 1907, he again applied for a pension (10).
He died in 1908 (10).
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 consolidated morning report, 11 December 1863 (Pri Nelson)
4 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 2 January 1864 (Nelson)
5 company D, register of men discharged ("reorganization" page) (John Nelson)
6 company D, descriptive roll, entry 21 (James Nelson)
7 company D, second descriptive roll, entry 52 (James Nelson)
8 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 1 August 1864 (Privt Nelson)
9 Annual report of the Board of Managers of the National Soldiers Home, 30 December 1882 [for the fiscal year ending 30 June 1882]. Serial Set volume 2115, session volume 1, 47th Congress, 2nd Session, House Miscellaneous Document 13, page 378 (James Nelson)
10 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company D (James Nelson)