He was born in Donegal, Ireland (11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17). He was 20 years old when he was enlisted (8, 9 [22], 11, 12, 13, 14 [34 in ?1878], 16 [37 in 1880], 17 [34 in 1878]).
He was a farmer when he was enlisted (8, 11, 12, 13) He was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (8).
He was 5 feet 6 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and light hair (8, 11, 12 [brown hair], 13 [brown hair]).
He was mustered into service on 24 September 1861 or 4 December 1861 (1, 8, 10 [4 Dec], 11 [4 Dec]). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Canser (8, 11). He was mustered in as a private in company K, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Casner (1, 8, 11).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (15).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 1 January 1864 (1, 8, 9 [29 Dec 63], 12 [29 Dec 63], 13 [29 Dec 63], 18 [28 Dec 63]). He was reenlisted for three years, at Warrenton, Virginia, by Lieutenant Carpenter (8, 9, 12, 13). He was mustered by Lieutenant Swan (12, 13).
He was transfered to company K on 16 February 1864 (2). He may have been mistakenly transferred to company A when he reenlisted (see fact of the week #102).
On 4 July 1864, he was detailed by Colonel Gregory for duty in the provost guard at brigade headquarters (3, 4, 7). He was still there in September (?) 1864 (7).
He was promoted to corporal on 24 September 1864 (5). And he was returned to duty on 25 September 1864 (7).
He was wounded on 27 October 1864 at Hatcher's Run, Virginia (1, 10).
On 27 April 1865, he was promoted to sergeant, effective 1 April 1865 (1, 6, 9, 10, 18 [1 Apr 1865]).
On 30 April 1865, he was reported absent in hospital, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (19). He was still absent in hospital, in Chester, at the end of June 1865 (20).
He was absent, sick, when the regiment mustered out (1, 9 [in hospital]). He had served for thirty-six months (14, 17 [43 months]).
On 7 September 1865, he applied successfully for a pension (18).
On 2 October 1878, he was admitted to the National Soldiers Home (14, 17). He had lost his left arm (14, 17). He was receiving a pension of $18 per month (14).
In 1880, he was living in the National Military Home in Montgomery County, Ohio (16). He was married, and a farm laborer (16).
In 1882, he was present in the Central Branch of the National Soldiers Home (14).
In 1905, he was at the Central Branch of the National Soldiers Home (17). He was receiving a pension of $40 per month (17).
He died on 11 February 1905 (17, 18).
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.)
[Bates lists two William Vance's. The one in company A is not accounted for at muster out. Bates' source obviously missed special order 4, HQ 91st PA, 16 Feb 64, which transfers Vance from co.A to co.K.]
2 special order 4, HQ 91st PA, 16 February 1864
3 letter, Sellers to Bennett, 4 July 1864
4 special order 61, HQ 91st PA, 4 July 1864 (William Vance)
5 special order 83, HQ 91st PA, 24 September 1864
6 special order 25, HQ 91st PA, 27 April 1865 (William Vance)
7 [list of detailed men, probably from Sept 1864] (William Vance)
8 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 18 August 2004 (William Vance [co.A])
9 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 18 August 2004 (William Vance [co.K])
10 company K, second list of non-commissioned officers (William Vance)
11 company K, descriptive roll, entry 83 (William Vince)
12 company K, third descriptive roll (William Vance)
13 company K, fourth descriptive roll (William Vance)
14 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 (William Vance)
15 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (William Vance)
16 1880 US census, Ohio, Montgomery County, National Military Home, supervisor's district 2, enumeration district 169, microfilm series T9, film 1052, page 596 = 24 D handwritten (William Vance)
17 Report of the Board of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1905, page 433. Serial Set volume 4992. Session volume 52, 59th Congress, 1st Session. House Document 81. (Wm Vance)
18 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company K (William Vance)
19 company K, monthly report, April 1865 (Wm Vance)
20 monthly return, company K, June 1865 (Wm Vance)
[I did not find an entry for him in Ancestry's index to the 1890 veterans' census (searched November 2005)
| line | 30 |
| street name | Maryland Avenue |
| house number | [12] |
| dwelling visit # | [12] |
| family visit # | [12] |
| name | Vance William |
| color | W |
| sex | M |
| age | 37 |
| month born if born in year | |
| relationship | Disabled Soldiers Beneficiaries of Natl Mil Home for D.V.S. |
| single | |
| married | 1 |
| widowed/divorced | |
| married during year | |
| occupation | Farm Laborer |
| months unemployed | |
| currently ill? | |
| blind | |
| deaf/dumb | |
| idiotic | |
| insane | |
| disabled | 1 |
| school this year | |
| can't read | |
| can't write | |
| birthplace | Ireland |
| father's birthplace | Ireland |
| mother's birthplace | Ireland |