Bates (1) has two entries about him; one spells his surname 'Schieffer', the other 'Scheiffer'.
He was 22 years old when he was enlisted (9 [25, probably at reenlistment]). He was born in Bellfonte [?], Pennsylvania (9).
He was 6 feet 3-5/8 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair (9).
He was enlisted and mustered in on 10 September 1861 (1) or on 16 September 1861 (9). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Smith (9). He served as a private, initially in company A (1).
He may have been detailed as cook for the brigade teamsters on 8 May 1863 (6).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (12). He was then in company C (12).
On 27 September 1863, he returned to his company (8).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer (1).
He was transferred to company C on 16 February 1864 (1, 3). He may have been mistakenly transferred to company A when he reenlisted (see fact of the week #102).
On 1 March 1864, Colonel Gregory detached him to collect conscripts, at Philadelphia (2). He returned from detached service on 16 April 1864 (11).
He was detailed by General Griffin for duty in the division ordnance train on 10 June 1864 (5, 7). He was still there in September (?) 1864 (7).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1).
On 14 March 1870, he applied successfully for a pension (13, 14).
On 14 October 1882, his widow, Catharine Schieffer, applied unsuccessfully for a pension (13, 14).
On 27 June 1890, minor dependents including Joseph Schieffer applied unsuccessfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (13, 14).
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, 7 March 1864 (William Scheiffer)
3 special order 4, HQ 91st PA, 16 February 1864 (William Scheiffer)
4 special order 13, HQ 91st PA, 1 March 1864
5 special order 44, HQ 91st PA, 10 June 1864
6 consolidated morning report, HQ 91st PA, 9 May 1863
(Private Shaeffer)
[The report lists him under co.C, which seems inconsistent with entry (3) above, but I have no other candidates.]
7 [list of detailed men, probably from Sept 1864] (William G Shaeffer)
8 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 27 September 1863 (Private Shieffer)
9 company C, descriptive roll, entry 62 (William G Schiefer)
10 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 8 July 2004 (Wm G Schieffer--co. A only; the card simply refers to a company C card, which I could not find)
11 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 16 April 1864 (Scheifer)
12 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (Wm G Schaeffer)
13 pension index, by name (William G S Schieffer)
14 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company C (William G S Schieffer)
[I did not find an entry for him in the index on <www.ancestry.com> to the 1890 veterans' census (searched November 2005)