He was 18 years old when he enlisted in 1861 (3, 4 [20]). He was born in London, England (3).
He was a colourer (3, 4 [laborer]). He was living in Philadelphia when he was enrolled (4).
He was 5 feet 3 inches tall, and had a light complexion, light eyes, and light hair (3, 4).
He was mustered into service as a musician on 20 August 1861 (1) or 4 December 1861 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3, 4). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Lieutenant Phillips (3). He served as a musician in company A (1).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (9).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 26 December 1863, at Bealton, Virginia (1, 4).
He went on a ten-day furlough on 23 October 1864; the furlough ended on 2 November 1864 (2, 6). He was sick in hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2).
On 10 November 1864, he was probably reported as absent without leave (8).
He returned, probably on 23 November 1864 (2).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 4).
On 9 April 1875, he unsuccessfully applied for a pension (5).
His widow unsuccessfully applied for a pension (5).
A minor unsuccessfully applied for a pension (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 Wilson)
2 enlisted men's furloughs (Music. William Wilson)
3 company A descriptive roll, entry 80 (William Wilson)
4 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 5 May 2004 (William Wilson)
5 pension index, by regiment (William Wilson)
6 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 23 October 1864 (Musician Wilson)
7 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 10 November 1864 (unnamed; no one in company A absent with leave; one person absent without leave)
8 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 23 November 1864 (unnamed; no one in company A absent without leave)
9 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (William Wilson)
[I did not find an entry for him in the index on <www.ancestry.com> to the 1890 veterans' census (searched November 2005)