Search

The article focuses on the Compiled Military Service Records (CSRs), created by the U.S. War Department. The basis of the CSRs are Southern service records that were surrendered to U.S. Federal control by Confederate adjutant and inspector general Samuel Cooper. Information is also provided for the "Unfiled Papers and Slips Belonging in Confederate Compiled Service Records."

The article presents information on descriptive lists which were used for documentation purposes during the U.S. Civil War to record the physical details of war volunteers. The list consisted of the recruit's name, age, height, complexion, color of eyes and hair, birth place, and occupation, as well as when, where, by whom and for what period he enlisted. The list also included a 'remarks' column which documented a man's character, and his achievements and failures .