If you have a Civil War ancestor who served in the Union Army, be sure to request the service file from the National Archives [NARA]. If your soldier - or his widow - filed for a pension, request the FULL pension. It may cost a bit more, but you won't miss anything of potential interest.
The service file is the main subject today. The soldier's cover sheet will give his name, rank, company and regiment. There will also be a series of card numbers listed. These cards will give you the veterans service history. There will also be a line showing the "Number of personal papers herein."
I'm going to use my great-great-grandfather Aaron Crail's service file as an example.
Cover page: Crail, Aaron - Co. I - 124th Indiana Infantry - Private
There are 16 card numbers listed and 0 personal papers.
1st card: Company Muster Roll: period of enrollment - to Apr 29, 1864; joined - 9 Apr 1864 at Indianapolis for a period of 3 yrs.; mustered - same date & place; present at muster
2nd card: Detachment Muster-in Roll: age 24; Pvt., Co. I, 124th Ind. Inf.; Indianapolis, Mar 17, 1864; paid $60 bounty.
3rd card: Company Descriptive Book: age - 24; height - 5'10"; dark complexion; hazel eyes; dark hair; born - Marion, OH; occupation: farmer; enlisted: Mar 9, 1864, Indianapolis by T.F. Howell for 3 yr. term.
4th card: Muster for May & June, 1864 - present
5th card: Muster for July & Aug., 1864 - absent; sick in hospital since Aug 19, 1864.
6th card: Muster for Sep. & Oct., 1864 - absent; left sick in field hospital near Atlanta on Aug. 18, 1864.
7th card: Muster for Nov. & Dec., 1864 - absent; left sick in field hospital near Atlanta on Aug. 18, 1864.
8th card: Muster for Jan. & Feb., 1865 - absent; in hospital at Camp Dennison, OH.
9th card: Muster for Mar. & Apr., 1865 - absent; hospital, Camp Dennison
10th card: Muster for May & June, 1865 - Discharged June 6/65 at Camp Dennison, OH by order of War Dept.
11th card: Muster-out Roll: Greensboro, NC, Aug 31, 1865; last paid June 30, 1864.
12th card: Hospital Muster Roll: Dennison USA General Hospital, 6th Division, Camp Dennison, OH for Nov. & Dec., 1864; Attached to hospital - Nov. 26, 1864 - sick; present.
13th card: Hospital Muster Roll: Jan. & Feb., 1865 - sick, present.
14th card: Hospital Muster Roll: Mar. & Apr., 1865; Attached to hospital Dec. 18, 1864 - sick, present.
15th card: Appears on Returns as follows:
Aug/64 - sick Cleveland, TN [Apr 5/64]
Sep/64 - field hospital, Atlanta, GA [Aug 18/64]
Oct - Dec/64 - sick in hospital
Jan/65 - on safe guard, Columbia, TN
Feb - Mar/65 - sick at hospital
Apr/65 - hospital at Camp Dennison, OH
May/65 - absent Louisville, KY
June 6/65 - Cincinnati, mustered out in accordance with telegram dated War Dept., May 2/65
16th card: Detachment Muster-out Roll: mustered out on June 6, 1865, Camp Dennison, OH; paid to June 30/65 [$78.43]; bounty paid -$60; bounty due -$240; mustered out by order by telegram A.G.B. May 3, 1865.
Here you have the military record of Aaron Crail. Aaron spent most of his time in a hospital. Other soldiers' records will show more of their field action.
I'll sum up the record in tomorrow's post.
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