Union Service Records

Union Army soldiers may have served in the U.S. Army, local militia units mustered into federal service, or volunteer regiments raised by the individual states. The length of service varied from 90 days to three years. Many soldiers also reenlisted, serving in more than one regiment. The Union Army and Navy enlisted over 2.3 million men, of which nearly 359,000 died in combat or from wounds and disease.

There is currently no master index to the names of soldiers who served in Union volunteer regiments. Individual indexes to state volunteer regiments are available on microfilm for every Northern state and every Southern state except South Carolina. A transcription of the National Archives indexes to compiled Military Service records of Volunteer Union soldiers is:

Hewett, Janet B., editor. The Roster of Union Soldiers, 1861–1865. 33 Volumes. Wilmington, North Carolina: Broadfoot Publishing, 1997–. (FHL book 973 M29h.) This series is currently in publication.

Most service records have not been microfilmed and are available only at the National Archives. The following service records and indexes are available on microfilm at the National Archives. Most of the filmed records and indexes are also available at the Family History Library. See the Family History Library Catalog for complete bibliographic information:


 * Alabama. Compiled Service Records. National Archives Microfilm Publication M276. (FHL films 1276611–20). Also, IIndex National Archives Microfilm Publication M263 (FHL film 0880848).


 * Arizona. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M532. (FHL film 0881608.)


 * Arkansas. Compiled Service Records. National Archives Microfilm Publication M399. (FHL films 1380796–855). Also, Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M383. (FHL films 0881488–91.)


 * California. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M533. (FHL films 0881609–15.)


 * Colorado. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M534. (FHL films 0821998–2000.)


 * Connecticut. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M535. (FHL films 0821909–25.)


 * Dakota. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M536. (FHL film 0881616.) Also available at the National Archives, Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the Territory of Dakota: 1st Battalion Cavalry. National Archives Microfilm Publication M1960.


 * Delaware. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M537. (FHL films 0881617–20.)


 * District of Columbia. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M538. (FHL films 0881964–66.)


 * Florida. Compiled Service Records. National Archives Microfilm Publication M400. (FHL films 1299987‑97.) Also, Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M264. (FHL film 0821767.)


 * Georgia. Compiled Service Records. National Archives Microfilm Publication M403. (FHL film 1276608.) Also, Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M385. (FHL film 0881394.)


 * Illinois. Index National Archives Microfilm Publication M539. (FHL films 0881621–721.)


 * Indiana. Index National Archives Microfilm Publication M540. (FHL films 0881722–807.)


 * Iowa. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M541. (FHL films 0881808–36.)


 * Kansas. Index National Archives Microfilm Publication M542. (FHL films 0881837–46.)


 * Kentucky. Compiled Service Records. National Archives Microfilm Publication M397. (FHL films 1487066–275; films 1489753–90057.) Also, Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M386. (FHL films 0881492–521.)


 * Louisiana. Compiled Service Records. National Archives Microfilm Publication M396. (FHL films 1380930–79.) Also, Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M387. (FHL films 0821926–29.)


 * Maine. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M543. (FHL films 0881847–69.)


 * Maryland. Compiled Service Records. National Archives Microfilm Publication M384. (FHL films 1477976–8213.) Also, Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M388. (FHL films 0881522–34.)


 * Massachusetts. Index National Archives Microfilm Publication M544. (FHL films 0881870–913.)


 * Michigan. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M545. (FHL films 0881914–61.)


 * Minnesota. Index National Archives Microfilm Publication M546. (FHL films 0821930–38 and 0882902.)


 * Mississippi. Compiled Service Records. National Archives Microfilm Publication M404. (FHL films 1292659–62.) Also, Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M389. (FHL film 0881535.)


 * Missouri. Compiled Service Records


 * 
 * . National Archives Microfilm Publication M405. (FHL films 1500223–01075.) Also, Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M390. (FHL films 0881536–89.)


 * Nebraska. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M547. (FHL films 0821905–06.) Also available at the National Archives, Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the Territory of Nebraska. National Archives Microfilm Publication M1787.


 * Nevada. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M548. (FHL film 0821939.) Also available at the National Archives, Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the Territory and State of Nevada. National Archives Microfilm Publication M1789.


 * New Hampshire. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M549. (FHL films 0882018–30.)


 * New Jersey. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M550. (FHL films 0882031–56.)


 * New Mexico. Compiled Service Records. National Archives Microfilm Publication M427. (FHL films 0471538–83.) Also, Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M242. (FHL films 0821883–86.)


 * New York. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M551. (FHL films 0882057–213.)


 * North Carolina. Compiled Service Records. National Archives Microfilm Publication M401 (FHL films 1473248–72) Also, Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M391. (FHL films 0881590–91.)


 * Ohio. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M552. (FHL films 0882214–335.)


 * Oregon. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M553. (FHL film 0821947.) Also available at the National Archives, Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Oregon. National Archives Microfilm Publication M1816.


 * Pennsylvania. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M554. (FHL films 0882336–472.)


 * Rhode Island. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M555. (FHL films 0821940–46.)


 * Tennessee. Compiled Service Records. National Archives Microfilm Publication M395. (FHL films 1482042–261.) Also, Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M392. (FHL films 0821889–904.)


 * Texas. Compiled Service Records. National Archives Microfilm Publication M402. (FHL films 1292646–58.) Also, Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M393. (FHL films 0881592–93.)


 * Utah. Compiled Service Records. National Archives Microfilm Publication M692. (FHL film 0821588.) Also, Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M556. (FHL film 1292645.)


 * Vermont. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M557. (FHL films 0882472–85.)


 * Virginia. Compiled Service Records. National Archives Microfilm Publication M398. (FHL films 1292638–44.) Also, Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M394. (FHL film 0881594.)


 * Washington. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M558. (FHL film 0821948.)


 * West Virginia. Compiled Service Records. National Archives Microfilm Publication M508. (FHL films 1478231–475 and 1482026–041.) Also, Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M507. (FHL films 0881595–607.)


 * Wisconsin. Index. National Archives Microfilm Publication M559. (FHL films 0882486–518.)

The indexes include the soldier’s name, rank, and unit.

Additional service indexes for Union soldiers are:


 * Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in the Veteran Reserve Corps. National Archives Microfilm Publication M636. (FHL films 1205358–83.) Indexes the names of soldiers who were no longer able to serve combat duty but who could still perform limited duty, such as being prison guards and hospital stewards.


 * Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served with United States Colored Troops. National Archives Microfilm Publication M589. (FHL films 1266617–43 and 1266546–616.) Covers many former slaves from the South as well as free African‑Americans who served in the Union Army between 1863 and 1865.


 * Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations Not Raised by States and Territories. National Archives Microfilm Publication M1290. (FHL films 1604884–920.) Indexes records of special units not raised by the states, such as the U.S. Sharpshooters, Indian Home Guard, and former Confederates.

The following related records are available on microfilm at the National Archives:

Compiled Military Service Records of Volunteer Union Troops Who Served with the United States Colored Troops: 1st United States Colored Infantry, 1st South Carolina Volunteers (Colored) Company A, 1st United States Colored Infantry (1 Year). National Archives Microfilm Publication M1819.

Compiled Military Service Records of Volunteers Who Served with the United States Colored Troops: 55th Massachusetts Infantry. National Archives Microfilm Publication M1801.

Compiled Military Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served with the United States Colored Troops: 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment (Colored).National Archives Microfilm Publication M1898.

Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served with the United States Colored Troops: Artillery Organizations. National Archives Microfilm Publication M1818.

Listed below are the service records of former Confederates or “galvanized Yankees” who enlisted from prison camps:


 * Compiled Service Records of Former Confederate Soldiers Who Served in the First through Sixth U.S. Volunteer Infantry Regiments, 1864–66. National Archives Microfilm Publication M1017. (FHL films 1315687–751; computer number 122843.)

Copies of compiled service records can be requested from the National Archives by using NATF Form 80. These service records were made from muster rolls, pay lists, hospital records, and record books that have not been filmed. Some of these sources, such as the hospital registers, often give detailed information, such as birthplace. If a compiled service record notes a Bookmark File number, this refers to a separate set of records that must be asked for specifically when requesting copies The records are found in Record Group 94, Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1780s–1917.

Service Records of Sailors
For records of sailors who served in the Union Navy, contact the National Archives. The weekly returns of enlistments, 1855 to 1891, are the records of most value for sailors, particularly those who served between 1855 and 1865. Entries list the sailor’s name, enlistment date, birthplace, age, occupation, personal description, date of or return of enlistment, and record of previous naval service. The records have not been filmed and are available only at the National Archives in Record Group 24, Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel.

See the following for more information:

Baugh, Virgil E., comp. ''Preliminary Inventory of the Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel. PI 123''. Washington, D.C. 1960.

An index to sailors who enlisted between 1861 and 1865 is listed below:


 * Index to Rendezvous Reports, Civil War, 1861–65. National Archives Microfilm Publication T1099. (FHL films 1570558–88.) Entries contain the sailor’s name, ship or place of rendezvous, and date of enlistment.

Records of Officers

 * Official Army Register of the Volunteer Force of the United States Army for the Years 1861, 62, 63, 64, 65. 8 vols. 1865–67. Reprint, Gaithersburg, Md.: Olde Soldier Books, 1987. (FHL book 973 M23ua 1987; films 1320524–27) This set lists the names of officers and contains brief organizational information for each regiment. It includes the dates and names of officers promoted, resigned, discharged, dead, missing, and dismissed.

Van Sickle, Ron R. ''General Index to Official Army Register of the Volunteer Force of the United States, 1861–65 Gaithersburg, Md.: Ron R. Van Sickle Military Books, 1987. (FHL book 973 M23ua V.9.) Alphabetically arranged by name of officer with volume and page references.'''

Hamersly, Lewis R. The Records of Living Officers of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps with a History of Naval Operations during the Rebellion of 1861–65, and a List of the Ships and Officers Participating in the Great Battles. 1870.Reprint, Mattituck, New York, New York: J. M. Carroll &amp; Company, 1985. (FHL book 973 M3h.) Contains brief service sketches of living officers of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps as they appeared in the Navy Register for 1870. Birth or family information is sometimes included. Also contains a history of naval operations of the different squadrons and lists names of officers and vessels involved in naval battles.

Hunt, Roger D., and Jack R. Brown. Brevet Brigadier Generals in Blue. Gaithersburg, Maryland: Olde Soldier Books, 1990. (FHL book 973 M2hu.) Contains the name, units commanded, dates of Brevet, date and place of birth and death, education, occupation, and burial information. Includes photos.

Powell, William H., editor. Officers of the Army and Navy (Volunteer) Who Served in the Civil War. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: L. R. Hamersly &amp; Company, 1893. (FHL book 973 M2p; film 0599644 item 1.) Contains similar information as Powell’s volume on regular officers described below.

Powell, William H., editor. Officers of the Army and Navy (Regular) Who Served in the Civil War. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: L. R. Hamersly &amp; Company, 1892. (FHL book 973 M2po; film 0599644 item 2.) Contains pictures and sketches of officers. Each sketch usually cites birthplace and may give complete birth date. Appointment, tours of duty, battles, and skirmishes are briefly detailed.

Warner, Ezra J. Generals in Blue: Lives of the Union Commanders. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press, 1964. (FHL book 973 M2war.) Contains many pictures, brief sketches of generals’ military service, and birth and death information.