Gettysburg June 30th Muster Rolls

[BMD928]

Hi All:
I'm wondering if anyone could tell me where online I might be able to find copies of the muster rolls for the AOP and ANV for June 30th, 1863 before the Battle of Gettysburg?

Thanks in advance!
Brian

 

[Tom Elmore]

I am unaware of a single source for the ANV muster rolls. By perusing individual records at Fold3, one can assemble a reasonably accurate muster roll for a number of regiments based on the June 30 pay date (which I have painstakingly done in a few cases). But records of some units covering that period were evidently lost/destroyed (including by Federal cavalry during the retreat and during the burning of Richmond at war's end). A few original rolls survive in repositories like the Library of Virginia in Richmond. A reference work, Regimental Strengths and Losses, by John W. Busey and David G. Martin, offers total numbers for every unit (ANV and AoP) as of June 30. Of course, the latter figures differ from battle strength, given that roughly 15 percent of any given unit's complement consisted of non-combatants in various support roles (and do not account for absences like sickness or desertion).

It is my understanding that AoP muster rolls may reside in the bowels of the Library of Congress, but Fold3 has yet to make them readily accessible. Again, I have seen just a handful of original company rolls that reside in repositories around the country. Also, those figures are sometimes provided in official reports or in post-war accounts by participants.

 

[Bruce Vail]

Good question. I've wondered the same thing.

Like Tom Elmore, I am unaware of a single reliable source online. Regimental Strengths and Losses, by John W. Busey and David G. Martin is the closest there is to a standard reference, although that source is not without its own unique problems.

Author Busey published other related books that may be helpful to you. See https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/john-w-busey/602228/

Perhaps it would be easier to answer your questions if you were more specific as to your research goals?

 

[Bruce Vail]

"A few original rolls survive in repositories like the Library of Virginia in Richmond."

Likewise at the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh, although that archive may be specific to NC units only. I even had the opportunity to handle some originals myself during a visit there. At least I think they were original copies: I suppose the actual originals are still at NARA.

In my case they were not cataloged as Civil War rosters, but rather as part of the Papers of a specific Confederate officer. A cataloging system like that may make specific rosters hard to find.