Montgomery was born April 25, 1836 in Angelica (Alleghany County, NY). Orphaned at age three, he lived with foster parents, 1839-1849. He was apprenticed to a blacksmith, 1851-1853. He worke on railroads, moved to Ohio, and worked as a blacksmith, 1853-1855. In 1856 he came to Detroit and travel through numerous states until April 1861 when he enlisted in Co. A, 1st Michigan Infantry. He was mustered in May 1861, taken prison at Bull Run (Va) July 21, 1861, and discharged at Detroit, July 1862. He re-enlisted in the 5th Michigan Infantry, Co. G in 1862 at the age of 28. He was mustered in Sept. 1862, wounded at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863 and promoted to Corporal. He was transferred to the Invalid Corps on Oct. 20, 1863 and discharged on disability at Washington, D.C. on Aug. 5, 1865, from the 3rd Co., 2nd Battalion, V.R.C. (Veteran Reserve Corps). (For further information see the history of the history of the 1st Michigan Infantry.
From the description of "Eleven months experience in a Rebel prison", 1891. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 40817005
