If your ancestor fought for the Union, it’s likely he, his widow or his minor children later applied for a pension. The CMSR envelope, with contents compiled from original muster rolls and other records, contains various cards typically recording whether the soldier was present during a period of time, facts of enlistment and discharge, and any wounds or hospitalization. Compiled Military Service Record (CMSR)Įvery soldier has a CMSR for each regiment he served in, so if your ancestor was in more than one, seek out all his CMSRs. Fortunately, understanding a few key facts and a handful of essential resources can unlock a wealth of information about your Civil War ancestor. But because military records don’t fit the familiar patterns of most genealogical research – vital records, wills, passenger lists and the like – they can seem daunting to a first-time researcher.
The Civil War produced voluminous documents about the more than 3.5 million men (and a few hundred women) who fought both for the Union and the Confederacy. Picket: an advance outpost or guard for a larger force, considered the most hazardous infantry assignment Zouave: a Union or Confederate regiment known for its bright, colorful uniforms, modeled after French African troopsĬonscript: a person drafted into the military Muster: to formally enlist in the army, a roll call Volunteer: those who enlisted specifically for the war, in a federal or state militia unit
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It later became a symbolic border between free and slave states. Mason-Dixon line: a boundary surveyed in the 1760s between Pennsylvania to the North and Delaware, Maryland and Virginia to the South. Vivandière or cantinière: a woman attached to a military regiment as a sutler (merchant), canteen keeper, nurse or other caretaking capacitiesĬommutation: Union and Confederate government practice allowing draftees to pay a fee rather than serve in the military Garrison: group of soldiers stationed at a military post Vidette/vedette: a mounted sentry on picket dutyĬavalry: a branch of an army mounted on horseback Family Tree Templates and Relationship ChartsĪide-de-camp: confidential assistant to an officer, responsible for writing and delivering orders, and knowing troop positions and locations of officer quartersĬontraband: escaped slaves who fled to the Union linesĪrtillery: cannon or other large-caliber firearms a branch of the army armed with cannonīattery: basic unit of soldiers in an artillery regimentĮarthwork: a field fortification (such as a trench or mound) made of earth, used to protect troops and slow the enemy.Best UK, Irish and Commonwealth Genealogy Websites.Best African American Genealogy Websites.Surnames: Family Search Tips and Surname Origins.Preserving Old Photos of Your Family History.
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How to Find Your Ancestor’s US Military Records.
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