He was 38 years old when he enlisted in 1861 (3). He was born in Delaware County, Pennsylvania (3).
He was a saw grinder (3).
He was 5 feet 4-1/2 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, hazel eyes, and black hair (3).
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 11 September 1861 (1, 3). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Colonel Reiff (3). He served as a private in company A (1).
He was discharged on 8 April 1862 (1) or 18 April 1862 on surgeon's certificate of disability (1, 3). He was then a private (1, 2).
On 7 February 1891, he applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (4, 5).
On 31 July 1891, his widow, Louisa Roberts, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (4, 5).
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) (William Roberts)
2 Register of men discharged, co.A (William Robberts)
3 company A descriptive roll, entry 51 (William Roberts)
4 pension index, by regiment (William Roberts)
5 pension index, by name (William Roberts)
[I did not find him in the index on <www.ancestry.com> to the 1890 veterans census (searched October 2005)]