The Virginia Regimental History series lists Francis Collins, age 43, carpenter, enlisted on 9 Apr 1862 in Floyd, Virginia as a private in Company B, Virginia 54th Infantry Regiment. Mustered in on 4 Sep 1862. Mustered out on 13 Mar 1863.

The reported age at enlistment would imply a birthdate about 1819, which is later than is suggested by most census records.

1840 census of Patrick Co., Virginia lists on the top line of p. 19:
Francis Collins, 1 male 20-29, 1 female 20-29, 2 females under 5.

Both of the daughters must have died young, since there are no children over 8 in the 1850 census.

1850 census of Patrick Co., Virginia, Southern district, enumerated 23 Aug, lists on p. 31 as family #211/225:
Frances Collins, 37, b. Va, farmer; Sally, 35; Elizabeth, 8; Robert, 6; Samuel, 4; Susan, 2; Samuel Nelson, 25, laborer, mulatto. (The birthplace column is blank for all but Francis.)

1860 census of Floyd Co., Virginia, Court House district, enumerated 13 July, lists on p. 95 as family #679/641:
Francis Collins, 43; Sarah, 42; Elizabeth, 17; Robert, 16; Saml, 14; Susan, 11; Ruth, 7. All born in Virginia.