He was 29 years old when he enlisted in 1862 (6, 7). He was born in Belleforte, Pennsylvania (6, 7 [Belfonte PA]).
He was a currier (6, 7). He was living in Philadelphia when he was enrolled (7).
He was 6 feet 1 inch tall, and had a dark complexion, dark eyes, and dark hair (6, 7).
He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private on 2 January 1862, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 6, 7). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Sinex (6). He served as a private in company A (1).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (11).
On 26 August 1863, Sinex reported that he was still reported as a teamster at Corps Headquarters (4).
He started working as Colonel Gregory's hostler on 17 October 1863 (2, 3, 5), and was still his hostler on 14 November 1863 (2), and 30 December 1863 (3).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 25 February 1864 (1, 7).
On 13 October 1864, he was reported absent sick (10).
He was absent, sick, when the regiment mustered out on 10 July 1865 (1, 6 [absent wounded], 7).
On 16 September 1865, he applied successfully for a pension (8, 9).
On 18 January [?] 1882, his widow, Catherine Shafer, applied unsuccessfully for a pension (8, 9).
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) (Henry G Shaeffer)
2 letter, Gregory to Marvin, 14 November 1863 (Henry Schaefer)
3 letter, Sellers to Marvin, 30 December 1863
4 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 26 August 1863
5 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 23 October 1863 (Priv Schaeffer)
6 company A descriptive book, entry 70 (Henry J Scheaffer)
7 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 5 May 2004 (Henry G Shaeffer, rolls also have middle initial 'J')
8 pension index, by regiment (Henry Scheafer [?--could be Schiefer])
9 pension index, by name (Henry J Schafer)
10 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 13 October 1864 (Privt Shaeffer)
11 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (H G Shaeffer)
[I did not find him in the index on <www.ancestry.com> to the 1890 veterans census (searched October 2005)]
[I did not find an entry for him in Rootsweb WorldConnect (searched June 2007)]