question on 'Special Muster Roll'

[Arioch]

I understand what the muster rolls were…..

I've come across one that was noted (printed out….not handwritten) as a 'special muster roll'

What are they?…what was the purpose for them?….

The specific example I'm looking at is for a soldier in 1863. He is dutifully marked as 'present' on his January through April muster rolls….and that's about it….no further notations in the 'remarks' section of his muster card.

Next, there is this 'Special Muster Roll' dated April 10….again, simply marked 'present' and then….nadda…

May & June 1863 muster roll:….now it gets a little interesting…he was marked as 'promoted to Corporal by the regiment's Colonel to date from May 1, 1863'…

Could this 'special muster roll' card be some kind of bureaucratic, paper work that precedes his promotion?…meaning…he may have known his promotion was in the 'pipeline' for about a month before it was officially put in by the Colonel? (it's really the only thing I can think of….otherwise, I have no clue as to what a 'special muster roll' is and what it's purpose is).

 

[MajGenl.Meade]

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/what-is-the-special-muster-roll.94827/

This will link you to a discussion of the same question. The basic answer supplied by the responders is that a special muster roll was called after a particular event - say, a skirmish or battle - as opposed to the regular monthly or bi-monthly muster roll when in camp

 

[Arioch]

Thanks a lot 'Gen Meade'!!….I'm a little surprised at myself for missing this thread….(probably because I was thoroughly engaged in renovating my kitchen at that time).

Interestingly…..the date of the original poster's 'special muster roll' is the exact same date as the one for my soldier of study….

I think I will go and resurrect that thread…come jump in if you'd like…this may get more interesting.