Civil War Records

[Hancock the Superb]

I am currently researching a military aspect of the Civil War, and I'm going through as much information as I can find. I've bought all "modern" books avaible on the subject, even books that are on a small part of the subject. I'm browsing through the official records, Part 1, at the present.

I have several questions:

How can I secure actual print of the official records? It is very annoying to look at the sheets page by page online. I would rather have an actual book in front of me.

After looking through the official records, and finding few orders of battle, unit strenghts, and armament, where could I find these? I am in particular looking for complex orders of battle. (I have the orders of battle within my many books, but unit strenghts, and I've also found out that in many cases, units that are attached to brigades that did not participate in the battle are not listed!) So if there is a way to find those in print or online (preferable online), that would also be amazing.

Orders from the commanders engaged would be nice to have as well. Is there a location I can find a list of the orders during a battle?

I might have more, but I cannot think of anything else.

Thanks for all the help.

[MadMan]

Our local Library has all the Official pay records for both North & South on fiche.
I was able to find family history this way.
Had a Great-g-g-uncle who is listed as having died 7-4-1863 @ Vicksburg.
No cause of death listed, so don't know if from wounds or sickness.
But his wife was paid survivor benifits.

[Kerflumoxed]

Hancock the Superb wrote:

I am currently researching a military aspect of the Civil War, and I'm going through as much information as I can find. I've bought all "modern" books avaible on the subject, even books that are on a small part of the subject. I'm browsing through the official records, Part 1, at the present.

I have several questions:

How can I secure actual print of the official records? It is very annoying to look at the sheets page by page online. I would rather have an actual book in front of me.

After looking through the official records, and finding few orders of battle, unit strenghts, and armament, where could I find these? I am in particular looking for complex orders of battle. (I have the orders of battle within my many books, but unit strenghts, and I've also found out that in many cases, units that are attached to brigades that did not participate in the battle are not listed!) So if there is a way to find those in print or online (preferable online), that would also be amazing.

Orders from the commanders engaged would be nice to have as well. Is there a location I can find a list of the orders during a battle?

I might have more, but I cannot think of anything else.

Thanks for all the help.

Most libraries of any size will have the set on hand, especially a university library. There has also been a reprint version produced several years that will occasionally surface: Published in April 1985, Broadfoot Publishing...Not cheap, though. Morningshop Bookshop also reprinted the series and they are currently available at $25.00 per volume. (Fortunately, my set was given to me by one of my professors who saved them from the trash can when the local university decided to get rid of their 2nd set.) I am not sure if these are available on CD. Volumes also show up on Ebay such as this one currently for sale: V. 31 Part1 Army Records Civil War Tennessee 1863 Series 1. A search will turn up 3 others from the same seller.

Another possible source of information is a compilation of articles from Century Magazine which was published in a series of 4 volumes entitled "Battles and Leaders." These have also been reprinted several times and may be found at a used book store. These are writings by the participants, ranging from privates to generals, both blue and gray, and are an excellent resouce. They are relative cheap.

If your research includes the Southern Army, another fine source ate the Southern Historical Society Papers consisting of 52 volumes. They have been reprinted and are also available, as a set, from Morningside...cost including shipping is 1,500.00. I don't have a set of these...rather I purchased a CD version off of Ebay. Less satisfactory than the printed version, but better than online.

Now, as to unit strength, losses, etc., again, Battles and Leaders may be of some help. Each major battle includes a table: "Opposing Forces at (ex. Severn Pines, May 31 - June 1, 1862). It lists each army beginning with the commanding officer and continues through each unit. For example, in the Union Army, Fourth Army Corps, Brig. Gen. E. D. Keyes. First Division, Brig. Gen. D. N. Couch. Followed by First Brigade, et.al. It frequently includes Brigade Losses. K. 47, W. 236, M. 64. This information is prefaced with: "The composition, losses and strength of each army as here stated gives the gist of all data obtainable in the Official Records." (There is also a one volume edition available, but is quite limiting in its scope...not recommended.) Currently, there are volumes 3 and 4 on Ebay with a current bid of $14.00.

Hope this helps!

J

[Hancock the Superb]

Thanks! I'm going to check in all four of my library systems, then I'll see about purchasing them.