Civil War Confederate Soldier Records



Confederate Compiled Service Records

These records contain card abstracts of entries relating to each soldier as found in original muster rolls, returns, rosters, payrolls, appointment books, hospital registers, Union prison registers and rolls, parole rolls, and inspection reports. Images available online at




Confederate Pension Records

The agencies and websites listed below hold the Confederate pension application records.

Pension Records have the most genealogical value. Although each is different, they often contain relatives' names, physical description, date and place of birth and cause of death, regiment, whether a POW and much more. Sometimes, although rare, even a photograph.

The veteran was eligible to apply for a pension to the State in which he lived, even if he served in a unit from a different State.

Generally, an applicant was eligible for a pension only if he was indigent or disabled. When writing to the archives , state the confederate veteran's name, his widow's name, the unit(s) in which he served, and the counties in which he and his widow lived after the Civil War. Fees vary.



To find the Confederate veteran's unit, search one of the online Civil War databases:



To find counties in which he and his widow lived after the Civil War, search the census at

  • US Federal Census at Ancestry.com. Check the 1870, 1880, and the 1890 Civil War Survivors Census. The 1910 Census also lists Civil War Survivors.


For information on procedures and fees for requesting copies of records, contact the state archives below.



ALABAMA

Alabama Department of Archives and History
624 Washington Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36130-0100
Telephone: 334-242-4363

In 1867 Alabama began granting pensions to Confederate veterans who had lost arms or legs. In 1886 the State began granting pensions to veterans' widows. In 1891 the law was amended to grant pensions to indigent veterans or their widows.

Online at:



ARKANSAS

Arkansas History Commission
1 Capitol Mall
Little Rock, AR 72201
Telephone: 501-682-6900

In 1891 Arkansas began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans. In 1915 the State began granting pensions to their widows and mothers. Two published indexes are available in many libraries:

  • Allen, Desmond Walls. Index to Confederate Pension Applications (Conway, Ark.: Arkansas Research, 1991).
  • Ingmire, Frances Terry. Arkansas Confederate Veterans and Widows Pensions Applications (St. Louis, MO: F.T. Ingmire, 1985).

Online at:



FLORIDA

Florida State Archives
R. A. Gray Building
500 South Bronough Street
Tallahasse, FL 32399-0250
Telephone: 850-487-2073

In 1885 Florida began granting pensions to Confederate veterans. In 1889 the State began granting pensions to their widows. A published index, which provides each veteran's pension number, is available in many libraries:

  • White, Virgil. Register of Florida CSA Pension Applications (Waynesboro, TN: National Historical Publishing Co., 1989).

Online at:



GEORGIA

Georgia Department of Archives and History
Ben W. Fortson Jr. Archives and Records Building
330 Capitol Avenue, S.E.
Atlanta, GA 30334
Telephone: 404-656-2393

In 1870 Georgia began granting pensions to soldiers with artificial limbs. In 1879 the State began granting pensions to other disabled Confederate veterans or their widows who then resided in Georgia. By 1894 eligible disabilities had been expanded to include old age and poverty. A published index is available in many libraries:

  • White, Virgil D. Index to Georgia Civil War Confederate Pension Files (Waynesboro, TN: National Historical Publishing Co., 1996).

Online at:



KENTUCKY


Kentucky State Archives
Research Room
300 Coffee Tree Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Telephone: 502-564-8704

In 1912, Kentucky began granting pensions to Confederate veterans or their widows. The records are on microfilm. A published index is available in many libraries:

  • Simpson, Alicia. Index of Confederate Pension Applications, Commonwealth of Kentucky (Frankfort, KY: Division of Archives and Records Management, Department of Library and Archives, 1978).

Online at:



LOUISIANA


Louisiana State Archives
3851 Essen Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70809-2137
Telephone: 504-922-1208

In 1898 Louisiana began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans or their widows.

Online at:



MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi Department of Archives and History
P.O. Box 571
Jackson, MS 39205
Telephone: 601-359-6876

In 1888 Mississippi began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans or their widows. A published index is available in many libraries:

  • Wiltshire, Betty C. Mississippi Confederate Pension Applications (Carrollton, MS: Pioneer Publishing Co., 1994).

Online at:



MISSOURI

Missouri State Archives
600 W. Main
P.O. Box 1747
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Telephone: 573-751-3280

In 1911 Missouri began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans only; none were granted to widows. Missouri also had a home for disabled Confederate veterans. The pension and veterans' home applications are interfiled and arranged alphabetically. Typically, the pension file is small, perhaps four to eight pages, containing a standard application form and may include letters of recommendation from family members or others.


Online at:




NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
Division of Archives and History
Physical Address:
North Carolina State Archives
109 East Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-2807
Telephone: 919-733-7305

Mailing Address:
North Carolina State Archives
Public Services Branch
4614 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4614

In 1867 North Carolina began granting pensions to Confederate veterans who were blinded or lost an arm or leg during their service. In 1885 the State began granting pensions to all other disabled indigent Confederate veterans or widows.

Online at:




OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma Department of Libraries
Archives and Records Management Divisions
200 Northeast 18th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Telephone: 1-800-522-8116 (nationwide) ext. 209

In 1915 Oklahoma began granting pensions to Confederate veterans or their widows. A published index is available in many libraries:

  • Oklahoma Genealogical Society. Index to Applications for Pensions from the State of Oklahoma, Submitted by Confederate Soldiers, Sailors, and Their Widows (Oklahoma City, OK: Oklahoma Genealogical Society Projects Committee, 1969)V


Online at:



SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina Department of Archives and History
8301 Parkland Road
Columbia, SC 29223
Telephone: 803-896-6100

A state law enacted December 24, 1887, permitted financially needy Confederate veterans and widows to apply for a pension; however, few applications survive from the 1888-1918 era. Beginning in 1889, the SC Comptroller began publishing lists of such veterans receiving pensions in his Annual Report. To obtain a copy of the pension application from the 1888-1918 era, the researcher needs to know the exact year in which the veteran or widow applied for a pension. From 1919 to 1925, South Carolina granted pensions to Confederate veterans and widows regardless of financial need. These files are arranged alphabetically. Pension application files are typically one sheet of paper with writing on both sides. Also available are Confederate Home applications and inmate records for veterans (1909-1957), and applications of wives, widows, sisters, and daughters (1925-1955).


Online at:



TENNESSEE

Tennessee State Library and Archives
Public Service Division
403 Seventh Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37243-0312
Telephone: 615-741-2764

In 1891 Tennessee began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans. In 1905 the State began granting pensions to their widows. The records are on microfilm. A published index is available in many libraries:

  • Sistler, Samuel. Index to Tennessee Confederate Pension Applications (Nashville, TN: Sistler & Assoc., 1995).

Online at:



TEXAS

Texas State Library and Archives Commission
WebPagess:
Genealogy and Archives & Manuscripts
P.O. Box 12927
Austin, TX 78711
Telephone: 512-463-5480

In 1881 Texas set aside 1,280 acres for disabled Confederate veterans. In 1889 the State began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans and their widows. Muster rolls of State militia in Confederate service are also available. A published index is available in many libraries:

  • White, Virgil D. Index to Texas CSA Pension Files (Waynesboro, TN: National Historical Publishing Co., 1989).


Online at:



VIRGINIA

Library of Virginia
Archives Division
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Telephone: 804-692-3888

In 1888 Virginia began granting pensions to Confederate veterans or their widows. The records are on microfilm.

Online at: