Below is the enlistment paper signed by James Pennington at Lockport, New York, prior to his attachment to the 9th New York Cavalry.

James enlisted for the period of 1 year.   His physical description: blue eyes, brown hair, fair complexion, and 5 feet 9.5 inches tall.  He claimed to be born in Scotland.  Age: 35 years.  His enlistment came with a bounty.

According to his muster reports, James enlisted on 4 Oct 1864.  He was paid $33.33 upon enlistment with $66.67 due.  His first muster report for Sept/Oct 1864 shows him as being absent for reason: not yet joined.  It further states that James had been assigned to the 9th Cavalry on 25 Oct 1864.

The next muster report shows James joined up with the company on 12 Dec 1864.  He had received $33.33 bounty.  This for Nov/Dec 1864.

The third muster report for 31 Dec 1864 to 30 April 1865 is marked "present".  He received $33.33 bounty due.

The fourth muster report for May and June 1865 shows bounty paid $33.33.

The final report, the muster-out report, was signed at Clouds Mill , Virginia, dated 17 July 1865.  This report shows James last payment of $33.33 to 31 Dec 1864.  Shows a balance due: $5.23 for clothing allowance and $33.33 bounty.

These reports will soon be added to the Civil War section.

I came home last night to a large over-sized envelope at my front door.  Was surprised to see it was from the National Archives.  Quicker than expected.  I spent my evening pouring over the vast amount of information contained within.  Inside were pension requests of both James and Esther (when widowed).   Next door neighbors were interviewed as well as former Army war buddies of James.  All in THEIR OWN HAND-WRITING complete with signatures. 

I will be posting soon to an updated Civil War page - word for word.  This is really good stuff.  I now know exactly what happened to James - how he was wounded and where.  I know who he berthed with as a Private.  And I know how he lived post-war. 

Still don't have a picture of James.  But the medical reports give a pretty thorough description of his post-war self.   And he still claims to be born in Scotland: father - William Pennington; mother - Ann Wallace.