Collections

Each volume contains a descriptive roll & order book for Companies A through D of the 1st Regiment, Virginia Volunteers (later 70th Regiment), and the 1st & 2nd Infantry Battalions (Colored). The descriptive rolls include the following information about the soldiers: name; rank; where born (includes city, town, county, or province & state, empire, & kingdom); age at time of enlistment or commission; occupation; place of business; residence; when enlisted; where enlisted; by whom enlisted; period enlisted for; eye color; hair color; complexion; height; date resigned or discharged; and remarks (including promotions, discharges, deaths, etc.).

The muster rolls from 1884-1915 record the following information: absent or present, number, rank, name, age at date of enlistment, date of enlistment or re-enlistment, term of enlistment, date of warrant, and remarks (e.g. sick, on furlough, absent without leave). Commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates are listed separately. A separate section of the muster roll lists losses since the last muster and includes those soldiers who were discharged, transferred, promoted, etc. The muster roll enumerates accessions and casualties since the last muster. Each muster is certified by the company commander. The company commander also includes an annual record of the company which states the number of drills & parades, battalion drills, and inspections by the company. A certificate by the mustering officer reports on uniforms, discipline, equipment, and records of the company. Lastly, each roll contains a recapitulation that enumerates those present and absent for duty.

Volume I contains a register or roster of officers of the Virginia Volunteers commissioned between 1866 and 1882. The roster includes the following information: date of commission, name, rank, date of rank, and remarks (e.g. resigned, deceased, promoted, etc.). The volume begins with the officers of the Public Guard, Adjutant Generals, and Aide-de-Camps to the Governor. The volume then lists officers alphabetical by county. Lastly, the volume lists the officers of the First Brigade (organized in 1881) by regiment.

Volume I contains muster-in rolls for the 2nd and 3rd Regiments of Infantry of the Virginia Volunteers during the Spanish-American War. There are musters for the Field, Staff, & Band and Companies "A" through "M" for each regiment. The muster rolls record the following information: number; names (present & absent); description including age, height, complexion, eyes, and hair; town & state born; occupation; date & place where joined, by whom, and for what period; travel from residence to place of rendezvous including residence and no. of miles; valuation of horses and equipment (usually blank); oath subscribed to each man with signature or mark; married or single; if single, name and address of parent or guardian; and remarks (e.g. discharged, medical conditions, and witnesses for those who signed with their mark). There are separate muster rolls for the captains, 1st lieutenants, and 2nd lieutenants for each company. These musters are certified by the major of the respective regiment.