an oil portrait of Sinex (Thanks to Donald Sinex for the picture!)
Lt Col Sinex (and others) at Little Round Top, Gettysburg, probably at the dedication of the monument in 1889 (Thanks to Donald Sinex for the picture!)
Lt Col Sinex and others (including Confederate Veterans) at the 91st's monument, early 1900's (Thanks to Thom Boynton for the picture!)
Captain Sinex (Thanks to Joe Fulginiti for this image)
Captain Sinex's sword (Thanks to Joe Fulginiti for this image)
He was born in Stanton, Delaware, on 7 October 1819, to Sinneky Sinex and Sarah Hill (30, 38 [60 in 1880], 46 [40 in 1861], 49, 62 [73 in 1892]). He may be Robert Sinex Sr's brother (39).
He was married to Mary Catherine Duffield on 29 October 1848, in Salem Methodist Church, Philadelphia, by Reverend Hodgeson (49). (She was born on 29 August 1828, in New Jersey (49).) They had five children (49):
In 1850, he was living in Locust Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (58). He was a house carpenter (58). He was living with his wife Mary, their son Jonathan, and numerous other people (58).
He was a member of the National Artillery Company, 1st Regiment, 1st Division, in Philadelphia, from 1845 to 1858 (49).
In 1860, he was living in the first ward of Philadelphia (47). He was 36 years old, had been born in Delaware, and was a house [illegible] (47). He owned $5,000 in personal property, and $500 in real estate (47). He was living with four people, presumably his wife and children:
He was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when he was enrolled (46). He was serving on the Philadelphia City Council in 1861 (49).
He was 6 feet 4 inches tall (66).
On 25 April 1861, he was mustered into service as Captain of Company D of the 17th Pennsylvania Infantry (4, 40, 49, 53, 55). He was discharged on 2 August 1861 (53).
He was enrolled and mustered into service as captain of company D, on 7 October 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 32, 46, 51, 53, 67, 75). On an undated recruiting poster, he was listed as commanding company D of Colonel Gregory's regiment (55).
He was Provost Martial of Alexandria, Virginia, from 27 April 1862 through 21 August 1862 (1 [page 186], 5 (p.501)).
On 29 June 1862, he, along with the other commissioned officers in the regiment (except Colonel Gregory), signed a statement denying accusations that they were on the verge of open mutiny, that the regiment had been reduced to 400 men, and that Colonel Gregory was too lenient to Confederates and too harsh to men in the regiment (60).
As a captain, he was commanding the regiment on 7 February 1863 and continued commanding through 26 February 1863 (33 and other consolidated morning reports). He was commanding the regiment on 15 February 1863 (10).
He went on an eight-day leave on 17 March 1863 (34). He had returned on 26 March 1863 (35).
He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 26 March 1863, effective 11 January 1863, after lieutenant colonel Wallace resigned (1 [p.188]; 32, 51, 53, 72). His promotion to lieutenant colonel was reported on 4 April 1863 (36).
On 13 April 1863, the left wing went to Banks' Ford under his command, to picket the crossing and approaches; it remained until 25 April 1863 (1, p.188).
He took command when Colonel Gregory was wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville on 3 May 1863 (13). He was dismounted on 3 May 1863, at the Battle of Chancellorsville (1 [p.189]; 25). According to Thomas Walter, Sinex attempted to stop men retreating when they were outflanked, because he did not see they were. When Walter showed him, he ran to his horse, but had to leave on foot, because his horse was killed then (14).
He commanded the regiment at the Battle of Gettysburg (15, 16), and continued commanding it until Colonel Gregory returned in September (9, 17, 18, 76). The last consolidated morning report he signed was from 24 September 1863 (41).
He filed charges against Morris Kayser, and testified at his trial, on 30 July 1863 (37).
He was briefly commanding the regiment on 29 October 1863, while Colonel Gregory was the general officer of the picket (42). He was still commanding the regiment on 1 November 1863, but not on 2 November 1863 (43, 44).
Sinex was again in charge of the regiment on 8 December 1863 (11) and on 31 December 1863 (19), while Colonel Gregory was in command of the brigade.
On 16 December 1863, Joseph Johnston, co D, began working as his cook (7).
He was in command of the regiment on 31 January 1864 (21). He was still in command of the regiment when they returned to Warrenton Junction after veteran furlough, in March 1864 (5 (p.505)), but the first consolidated morning report that lists him as commanding the regiment after they returned is from 1 March (45).
He took the regiment to the front on 2 March 1864 (1 [p.190]). He greeted Walter and the other soldiers who had been absent without leave with a speech that Walter describes as 'rather more forcible than refined in its make up' (24).
Robert Ross (I) began serving as his hostler on 6 March 1864, and was still his hostler on 25 March 1864 (26), and on 25 April 1864 (27). (However, he was detailed as Sinex's hostler only on 26 March 1864 (28).)
In March and April 1864, he was in command of the regiment (various orders). In particular, he was commanding on 30 April 1864 (20), and on 5 May 1864 (22).
He was wounded 12 May 1864 at Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia, and Major Lentz took command of the regiment (1 [p.191], 23, 29, 52, 74). He was still absent wounded on 9 June 1864 (52).
He was discharged on 10 July 1864 (1, 46) or 11 July 1864 (2, 31, 32) by general order (1) or by special order 234, Adjutant General's Office, War Department (31, 32, 46 [on surgeon's certificate, by general order 234], 53 [11 Jul 64], 57 [11 Jul 64, for disability, by SO 234], 74).
On 24 September 1864, he applied successfully for a pension (4, 56).
In 1870, he was living in the 26th ward of Philadelphia (48). He was 50 years old (48). He was living with these people (48):
In November 1871, after Colonel Gregory's death, Sinex chaired a meeting passing resolutions about Gregory's death, and also a subsequent meeting setting up the 91st's Survivor's Association (59, 77).
At the first meeting of the Survivor's Association, on 4 December 1871, he was elected Presidence (73).
In May 1873, he chaired a meeting aimed at perfecting the organization of the Survivors' Association (65).
In 1880, he was living at 2611 Gray's Ferry Road, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (38). He was a hotel keeper (38). He was living with his wife, Mary C Sinex, his children Joseph, Sally, Frank, and John, and three other family members (38).
He served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1883 (49). He was the Representative from the 26th District of Philadelphia, and was a Republican (50). (The Republicans were the minority party--there were 113 Democrats, and 88 Republicans (50).)
In August 1883, the 91st Pennsylvania Regimental Association dedicated a memorial to the 91st at Gettysburg (61). Because the scheduled speaker did not come, Sinex gave a speech, without preparation (61). He was unable to complete the speech because he was overcome by the emotions caused by recalling the events (61).
In October 1884, he was the marshal of the Thirtieth Ward Club, for the parade in honor of General Logan (63).
He was on the committee of arrangements for the December 1884 meeting of the Survivor's Association of the 91st PA (3, 71). He attended the meeting, and was elected Vice-President (3).
He was present at, and probably gave a speech at, the December 1885 meeting of the regiment's Survivor's Association, which was held at Don Wallings' restaurant (Broad and South Penn Square) (64).
In 1890, he was living at 2611 Washington Street, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (53, 54). His occupation was "oysters" (54).
He died on 6 October 1892, at 2611 Washington Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (4, 49, 62). He was a member of many organizations, including the GAR (62). He was buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (30).
His widow is listed in the city directory in 1893 and 1894 as liquors 2611 Washington, home 4806 Woodland (49).
On 26 November 1892, his widow, Mary C Sinex, applied successfully for a pension (4, 56). When she applied in 1897, she was living at 915 Grays Ferry Road (49). She is listed in the city directory as the widow of Joseph, at 4811 Woodland Avenue (49).
His widow died on 4 October 1915, at 317 South 51st Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (49). She was living at 701 Greenway Avenue (49). She is buried with him in Mt Moriah Cemetery (49).
Carol Schmidt is researching Sinex. Contact her at schmidt@mluc.org.
Donald J Sinex is researching Sinex. Contact him at ch3ap1ng@msn.com.
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 roster; also pages 186, 188, 189, 190, 191.)
3 newspaper account of the 1884 reunion
4 pension index, by regiment (Joseph H Sinex)
5 Joseph Welch. '91st Regiment Infantry'. In Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Volume 1 (1914), Pages 500-507. At pages 501, 505.
6 various letters as commander 13 June 63-?
7 newspaper account of the 91st's arrival in Philadelphia on veterans' furlough
9 special order 78, headquarters 91st Pennsylvania, 12 September 1863 (signed by Sinex)
10 special order 9, headquarters 91st Pennsylvania infantry, 15 February 1863 (signed by Sinex)
11 letter, Sinex to Thomas, 8 December 1863
12 letter, Sellers to Marvin, 30 December 1863
13 Report, by Erastus B Tyler. In Official Records series 1 volume 25 part 1 pages 550-554. At page 551.
14 Thomas Walter. 'Personal experiences and recollections of an obscure soldier'. Grand Army Scout and Soldiers' Mail volume 3 number 39 page 2.
15 [table of organization during Gettysburg Campaign.] Official records series 1 volume 27 part 1, p.160.
16 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
17 [table of organization, 31 July 1863]. Official records series 1 volume 27 part 3 page 800.
18 [table of organization, 31 August 1863]. Official Records series 1 volume 29 part 2 page 124.
19 [table of organization, 31 December 1863.] Official records series 1 volume 29 part 2 page 603.
20 [table of organization, 30 April 1863.] Official records series 1 volume 33 page 1039.
21 [table of organization, 31 January 1864.] Official records series 1 volume 33 page 468.
22 'Organization of the forces operating against Richmond, under Lt Gen Grant on morning of May 5, 1864'. Official records series 1 volume 36 part 1 page 109.
23 Thomas Walter. 'Personal experiences and recollections of an obscure soldier'. Grand Army Scout and Soldiers' Mail volume 3 number 47 page 1.
24 Thomas Walter. 'Personal experiences and recollections of an obscure soldier'. Grand Army Scout and Soldiers' Mail volume 3 number 44 page 1.
25 [table of organization, battle of Chancellorsville.] In Official Records series 1 volume 25 part 1 pages 156-170, at page 164.
26 letter, Sinex to Fowler, 25 March 1864
27 list of enlisted men employed as servants, hostlers, &qq, HQ 91st PA, 25 April 1864
28 special order 27, HQ 91st PA, 26 March 1864
29 letter, Lentz, 22 July 1864
30 message 9, on Sinex message board, <http://genforum.genealogy.com>, 10 September 2001, Donald J Sinex
31 special order 234, War Department, Adjutant General's Office, 11 July 1864
32 regimental descriptive book
33 consolidated morning report, 7 February 1863
34 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 17 March 1863 (Jos. H. Sinex)
35 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 26 March 1863 (Capt Sinex)
36 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 4 April 1863 (Capt Sinex)
37 court-martial record, Morris Kayser
38 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 664, microfilm series T9, film 1189, page 312 D = 12 handwritten] (Joseph Sinex)
39 e-mail, Donald J Sinex
40 Bates (see #1 above), p.163 (17th Pennsylvania infantry) (Joseph H Sinex)
41 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 24 September 1863 (Jos H Sinex)
42 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 29 October 1863 (Jos H Sinex)
43 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 1 November 1863 (Jos H Sinex)
44 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 2 November 1863 (not named)
45 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 1 March 1864 (Jos H Sinex)
46 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 18 May 2004 (Joseph H Sinex)
47 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1st ward, 1st precinct, page 487 line 39 to page 488 line 3 (Joseph H Sinex)
48 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 26th ward, precinct 9, second enumeration, page 342 lines 35-40 (Joseph Sinix)
49 worldconnect.com, Sinex GEDCOM, searched 26 May 2004 (Lt Col Joseph Hill Sinex, and Mary Catherine Duffield)
50 'Pennsylvania House of Representatives - 1883-1884' (viewed 26 May 2004)
51 company D, list of commissioned officers (Joseph H Sinex)
52 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 9 June 1864 (Lt Col Sinex)
53 1890 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 727, page [blank], lines 1-2 (Joseph H Sinex)
54 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory, transcribed at <www.ancestry.com> (searched Dec 2004) (Joseph H Sinex)
55 recruiting poster, company D, Colonel Gregory's regiment (Jos H Sinex)
56 pension index, by name (Joseph H Sinex)
57 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 16 July 1864 (Lt Col Sinex)
58 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Locust Ward, microfilm series M432, film 814, page 160 verso] (Joseph H Sinnex)
59 'The Reserves', Philadelphia Inquirer, 18 November 1871, page 2 (Joseph H Sinex)
60 'Ninety-first Pennsylvania Regiment'. Philadelphia Inquirer, 11 July 1862, page 2 (Joseph H Sinex)
61 'Gettysburg'. Philadelphia Inquirer, 30 August 1883. (Colonel J H Sinex)
62 'News of interest in the post rooms [re his death]'. Philadelphia Inquirer 9 October 1892, page 12 (Joseph H Sinex)
63 'Thirtieth ward club'. Philadelphia Inquirer 2 October 1884 page 3 (Joseph Sinex)
64 'War Veterans Banqueting'. Philadelphia Inquirer 15 December 1885 page 8 (Joseph H Sinex)
65 'Ninety-first regiment', Philadelphia Inquirer 17 May 1873, page 2 (Colonel Sinex)
66 'Waughtel & Wilcox Genealogy & Family History'. Web page, available at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~waughtel/military_history.htm (viewed November 2006). (Joseph Hill Sinex)
67 'Camp Chase at Gray's Ferry' Philadelphia Inquirer 19 October 1861 page 8 (Jos Sinex)
68 tombstone (from Don Sinex)
69 'Camp Chase', Philadelphia Inquirer 30 November 1861 (Joseph Sinex)
70 'Departure of Col. Gregory's regiment', Philadelphia Inquirer 22 January 1862 page 2 (Joseph Sinex)
71 'G.A.R.', Philadelphia Inquirer 6 September 1884, page 3 (Joseph H Sinex)
72 'Promotion in the Ninety-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers', 'Promotion in the Ninety-first regiment ...', Philadelphia Inquirer 15 May 1863 page 8 (Joseph H Sinex)
73 'Ninety-first regiment', Philadelphia Inquirer 5 December 1871 page 3 (Joseph H Sinex)
74 'The Ninety-first Pennsylvania volunteers', Philadelphia Inquirer 8 June 1864 page 3; also 'Our Annapolis letter', Philadelphia Inquirer 27 July 1864, page 2 (Joseph H Sinex)
75 'Local intelligence', Philadelphia Inquirer 19 September 1862 page 8 (Jos A Sinnex)
76 'Who commanded the 91st Pennsylvania'. Philadelphia Inquirer 17 September 1889 page 4 (Joseph H Sinex)
77 'General Gregory'. Philadelphia Inquirer 11 November 1871 page 2. (Joseph H Sinex)
| line | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 |
| Dwellings visited | 948 | ||||||||||||
| Families visited | 948 | 1 | 2 | : | |||||||||
| Name | Joseph H Sinnex [sic] | Mary " " | Jonathan E. " | Thomas Ford | Anna " | John Williams | Hannah " | Snaker [???] | Christan Eckhardt | Sarah Jane " | Mary E " | Arthur J Mall | Emaline Horace [?] |
| Age | 30 | 21 | 8/12 | 30 | 26 | 38 | 15 | 11 | 32 | 22 | 2 | 30 | 28 |
| Sex | M | F | M | M | F | M | F | M | M | F | F | M | F |
| Color | W | ||||||||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | House Carpenter | Fireman | Carpenter | Cedar [illegible word] | Shoe Cutter | ||||||||
| Real estate owned | |||||||||||||
| Birthplace | Delaware | New Jersey | Phila | Delaware | ditto | ditto | ditto | ditto | Philada | Delaware | Phila | New Jersey | ditto |
| Married within year | |||||||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | |||||||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | |
| street name | Gray's Ferry Road | ||||||||
| house number | 2611 | ||||||||
| dwelling visit # | |||||||||
| family visit # | |||||||||
| name | Sinex Joseph Sr | - Mary C | - Joseph Jr | - Sallie | - Frank | - John D | - Ida W [?] | - Maggie H | - Joseph Jr |
| color | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | M | F | M | M | F | F | M |
| age | 60 | 50 | 23 | 18 | 17 | 31 | 23 | 4 | 2 [?] |
| month born if born in year | |||||||||
| relationship | Wife | Son | Daughter | Son | - | Daughter in law | Nephew | ||
| single | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| married | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| widowed/divorced | |||||||||
| married during year | |||||||||
| occupation | Hotel Keeper | Keeping House | Brick Mason | At Home | Apprentice to Sheet [?] [illegible word] | Works in U.S. Mint | At Home | ||
| months unemployed | |||||||||
| currently ill? | |||||||||
| blind | |||||||||
| deaf/dumb | |||||||||
| idiotic | |||||||||
| insane | |||||||||
| disabled | |||||||||
| school this year | |||||||||
| can't read | |||||||||
| can't write | |||||||||
| birthplace | Delaware | New Jersey | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| father's birthplace | Delaware | New Jersey | Delaware | - | - | - | Penna | - | - |
| mother's birthplace | Delaware | New Jersey | - | - | - | - | Penna | - | - |
Colonel Joseph H. Sinex, a well-known veteran, died on Thursday at his residence, 2611 Washington avenue, in his 73d year. He was a well-known member of the Tippecanoe Club; Rising Star Lodge, F. and A. M., 126; Seventeenth and Ninety-first Pennsylvania Volunteers; National Artillery Post and Camp No. 5, G.A.R.; Union Veteran Legion, No. 2; General Marion Council, U.O.A.M., No. 117; Osage Tribe of Red Men, 113; the Thirtieth Ward Republican Club, Harmony Legion, and many other organizations.
The following changes have taken place in General Hospital, Division No. 1, Naval Academy, since my last report to THE INQUIRER:--
The subjoined named have been discharged the service by special order from the Adjutant-General's Office:-- [...] Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph H. Sinex, 91st Pa.; [...]
