SMGO-0918 91st Pennsylvania E company Civil War era Brooch For Joseph H. Smith

Name: SMGO-0918 91st Pennsylvania E company Civil War era Brooch For Joseph H. Smith
SKU: 103916
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$300.00

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Description

A solid silver Maltese cross in marksmanship badge form but with a named top bar with pin and suspension chain. A second red colored cross is in the center. A neat piece of a Civil war veteran who shows up in the volunteer archives. He was also seemingly a deserter who avoided punishment, likely due to favor from his superiors.

Before the war

He was born in 1832/33 (2 (30 in 1863), 8 (27 in 1861), 9 (60 in ?1894), 12 (76 at death in 1909), 13 (16 in 1850), 14 (46 in 1880)). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14). He was born to Jeremiah Smith and Margaret McManamee [?] (12, 13, 14).

In 1850, he was living in ward 2, Moyamensing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (13). He was living with Jeremiah and Margaret Smith (presumably his parents), and with Margaret, Jane [?], Charles, and Albert (presumably his siblings) (13). He was not working, and had not attended school within the year (13).

When he enlisted, he was a painter, and was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2, 8).

Description

When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 6-1/2 inches tall, had a dark complexion, grey eyes, and dark hair (2, 8 [5’7″, dark complexion, gray eyes, brown hair]).

During the war

He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private in company E on 20 August 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 8, 15). He was mustered into service by Lieutenant Swann [this may relate to his re-enlistment in 1863, not his original enlistment] (2). He was appointed corporal on 10 September 1861 (3).

He fought, as a corporal, at the battle of Gettysburg (6).

On 12 December 1863, he returned to duty (7).

He re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer (1), on 24 December 1863, at Bealton, Virginia, for 3 years (2, 8 [26 Dec 63]). He was enlisted by Lt Carpenter [perhaps William H Carpenter of company K] (2).

He was reduced to the ranks for being absent while his company was engaged with the enemy, at the Wilderness, Virginia (2, 3, 5).

He deserted on 24 July 1864, at Wilmington Delaware (4). He was arrested on 2 August 1864, but was referred to his company commander, and returned to duty without a trial (2, 4).

He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1, 8). He had served for 47 months (9). He was a private, in company E (15).

After the war

In 1880, he was (probably) living at 2317 Ellsworth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (14). He was living with his wife Mary, and children Joseph, Samuel, Minnie, and Elizabeth (14). He was a painter (14).

On 30 July 1890, he applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (10, 11).

On 22 May 1894, he was admitted to the National Soldiers Home (9). He was admitted from Pennsylvania (9). In 1894, he was present in the Southern Branch of the National Soldiers Home (9). He had chronic rheumatism (9). He was receiving a pension of $12 per month (9).

On 21 February 1907, he applied successfully for a pension (11).

On 9 June 1909, he died, of old age, in the National Soldiers’ Home, in Hampton, Virginia (11, 12). He was a painter (12).

On 12 June 1909, he was buried, in Mount Moriah Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (12).

On 21 January 1919, his widow, Mary Ann Smith, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (10, 11).

Sources

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 company E descriptive roll, number 9 (Joseph H Smith)

3 list of non-commissioned officers, company E

4 register of deserters, company E, entry 18

5 special order 55, headquarters 91st Pennsylvania Infantry, 30 June 1864

6 Pennsylvania Memorial, 91st Pennsylvania plaque, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (Joseph H Smith)

7 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 12 December 1863 (Corp Smith)

8 Civil War Veterans’ Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 6 May 2004 (Joseph H Smith)

9 Report of the Board of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1894. Serial Set volume 3329, session volume 3, 53rd Congress, 3rd Session. House Miscellaneous Document 27 (in 2 parts). Page 747. (Joseph H Smith)

10 pension index, by name (Joseph H Smith)

11 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company E (Joseph H Smith)

12 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 9 June 1909, #13858 (Joseph H Smith)

13 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Moyamensing, ward 2, microfilm series M432, film 809, page 237 = 472 handwritten (Joseph H Smith)

14 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor’s district 1, enumeration district 565, microfilm series T9, film 1185, page 739 = 19 C handwritten (Joseph H Smith)

15 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Joseph H Smith)