He was 32 years old when he was enlisted (11). He was 35 years old when he was reenlisted (12). He was born in Donegal, Ireland (11 [Donegaul], 12).
He was a painter (11, 12).
He was 5 feet 5-1/2 inches tall, and had a light complexion, grey eyes, and dark hair (11, 12).
He was enlisted and mustered into service on 11 September 1861 (1, 11). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Sinex (11). He was mustered in service by Captain Starr (11). He served as a private in company D (1).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (15).
He began working as Horace Faust's cook on 20 September 1863 (10), and was still his cook on 29 September (2) and on 14 November 1863 (3, which has him beginning 1 Oct).
On 16 December 1863, he began working as Joseph Sinex's cook, and was still his cook on 30 December 1863 (4).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 26 December 1863 (1). He was enlisted for three years, by Lieutenant Swan, at Bealton, Virginia (12).
He was reported as an officer's cook on 12 March 1864 (13).
On 26 March 1864, he was detailed by Lieutenant Colonel Sinex as cook for the regimental hospital (5, 8). He was relieved of his duty as hospital attendant on 21 October 1864 (6, 9, 14).
On 23 June 1865, he went on a furlough, which expired on 8 July 1865 (7).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1).
He died in 1871 (10).
Judy Bretzger is researching Johnston; contact her at jdbretzger@verizon.net.
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) (Joseph M Johnston)
2 letter, Gregory to Marvin, 29 September 1863
3 letter, Gregory to Marvin, 14 November 1863
4 letter, Sellers to Marvin, 30 December 1863
5 special order 26, HQ 91st PA, 26 March 1864
6 special order 100, HQ 91st PA, 21 October 1864 (Joseph M Johnson)
7 enlisted men's furloughs (Jos Johnston)
8 [list of detailed men, probably from Sept 1864] (Joseph M Johnston)
9 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 20 September 1863 (Private Jos M Johnson)
10 e-mail, Judy Bretzger
11 company D, descriptive roll, entry 12 (Joseph M Johnson)
12 company D, second descriptive roll, entry 39 (Jos M Johnson)
13 consolidated morning report, 12 March 1864 (Jos M Johnston)
14 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 22 October 1864 (Privt Johnson)
15 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (Joseph Johnson)
