What does a muster roll call card show?

[Daulton]

I am researching an ancestor but this is a more general question that I'm sure someone can tell me. Before he was killed and buried on a battlefield my great great uncle was present at a March and April muster roll call. Thanks to a contributor here on this site I can finally see the details of that card and it has a list of numbers, of varying lengths. What would those numbers have meant? Also would those muster roll calls mean that they were present at the end of April? Were the numbers recorded each time there was a formation or received provisions? What were the muster rolls specific purpose?
I am reading The Third Battalion Mississippi Infantry and the 45th Mississippi Regiment by David Williamson. On page 176 he shows that the skirmish at Dug Gap on May 8th happened and the battle of Resaca on May 14-15 occured. Henry was killed by a cannon ball and buried on the battlefield by his brother and a fellow soldier. Any general conjecture by more educated and smarter people than me would be appreciated and it would be interesting to read what you think. Are there more detailed accounts to be found in other literature about the movements of the 45th during this period?
Waddle you think?

 

[huskerblitz]

I am researching an ancestor but this is a more general question that I'm sure someone can tell me. Before he was killed and buried on a battlefield my great great uncle was present at a March and April muster roll call. Thanks to a contributor here on this site I can finally see the details of that card and it has a list of numbers, of varying lengths. What would those numbers have meant? Also would those muster roll calls mean that they were present at the end of April? Were the numbers recorded each time there was a formation or received provisions? What were the muster rolls specific purpose?
I am reading The Third Battalion Mississippi Infantry and the 45th Mississippi Regiment by David Williamson. On page 176 he shows that the skirmish at Dug Gap on May 8th happened and the battle of Resaca on May 14-15 occured. Henry was killed by a cannon ball and buried on the battlefield by his brother and a fellow soldier. Any general conjecture by more educated and smarter people than me would be appreciated and it would be interesting to read what you think. Are there more detailed accounts to be found in other literature about the movements of the 45th during this period?
Waddle you think?

I'm not sure what numbers on the muster rolls you are referring to?

As for more detailed accounts, have you tried newspapers? Sometimes soldiers or officers would write back to a local newspaper letting folks back home know how the regiment was doing. I've found a number if good details in this manner.

 

[OldSarge79]

Daulton, if the numbers you are referring to are at the bottom of the card, it will probably be part of the filing or reference system they used a hundred years ago when they made those cards. The cards themselves are supposed to contain ALL of the information on the original document, but I have found that that is not always the case.
As for the muster rolls, each company filled out and submitted a muster roll every two months in the Confederate army. In the remarks column, they would note what, if anything, had happened to each soldier, such as "present", "killed on July 2, 1863 at Gettysburg," "captured by the enemy, May 4, 1862" or "absent sick." A
I have an original Confederate muster roll, 26th Georgia, and assume they were the same roll for every Confederate unit, although I could be wrong on that point.

 

[John Winn]

Daulton, if the numbers you are referring to are at the bottom of the card, it will probably be part of the filing or reference system they used a hundred years ago when they made those cards. The cards themselves are supposed to contain ALL of the information on the original document, but I have found that that is not always the case.
As for the muster rolls, each company filled out and submitted a muster roll every two months in the confederate army. In the remarks column, they would note what, if anything, had happened to each soldier, such as "present", "killed on July 2, 1863 at Gettysburg," "captured by the enemy, May 4, 1862" or "absent sick." A
I have an original Confederate muster roll, 26th Georgia, and assume they were the same roll for every Confederate unit, although I could be wrong on that point.

I've looked at quite a few and they all look the same; as you describe.

When one gets the complete service record from the Archives there's a cover sheet for the roll call cards which simply lists all the reference numbers for the cards included in the file. Perhaps that's what is in question.

 

[Daulton]

I've looked at quite a few and they all look the same; as you describe.

When one gets the complete service record from the Archives there's a cover sheet for the roll call cards which simply lists all the reference numbers for the cards included in the file. Perhaps that's what is in question.

Well, now that I look at the card I asked about, it says "card numbers" then lists numbers. Most of them are four digit. Some are more. They are barely legible. This card does not say Muster Roll. Thank you for telling me that records are in Archives somewhere and have a cover sheet.

 

[Daulton]

I've looked at quite a few and they all look the same; as you describe.

When one gets the complete service record from the Archives there's a cover sheet for the roll call cards which simply lists all the reference numbers for the cards included in the file. Perhaps that's what is in question.

Maybe that is the correct answer. I also have a card numbers card for my great grandfather which has a longer list of numbers in the column. He survived the was after being captured. Yes, looking at it now that makes since. Ok, now I've learned a little something. Thank you very much.

 

[John Winn]

Well, now that I look at the card I asked about, it says "card numbers" then lists numbers. Most of them are four digit. Some are more. They are barely legible. This card does not say Muster Roll. Thank you for telling me that records are in Archives somewhere and have a cover sheet.

The compiled service record is most definitely in the Archives. You can order a copy for $30 but it will take forever to get. We have a member who retrieves records from the Archives as a business and he can get them much quicker. Also, the Archives often doesn't send everything (unsure of why) but our member gets everything. His are color copies while the Archives sends B&W. He charges a little more but it's worth it.

[email protected]

 

[UCVRelics]

I am researching an ancestor

What was his name?

 

[huskerblitz]

These may be on Fold3 (which I have access to). There are a number of Mississippi regiments with their compile service records scanned.

If you can let us know Henry's name, we might be able to locate him on that site and get you his CSR.

 

[OldSarge79]

Are there more detailed accounts to be found in other literature about the movements of the 45th during this period?

Getting back to this original question:
I have had incredible luck with several of my Confederate ancestors by looking for previously published books, such as post-war memoirs by their commanding officers, which was fairly common. I have found stories about two of my Confederate ancestors that way.
I've also scored by looking at the sources of each publication or book, to see where the author got his information. Check the bibliography of the book you have, then look into those publications. Some of those you might find are readable on-line if you google them. Some you can read at your local library by inter-library loan, just for the cost of shipping.
Google the heck out of your ancestor's name. If it's a common name it will be more challenging, but you might be surprised what you can find. I did some research for a friend several years ago and found that his great grandfather bought a piano from a dealer in 1903. Use your imagination on any angle you can think of and follow every lead to the absolute end. And consider going personally to a home town and looking through records at the courthouse or local library. You can find fantastic things there too.
Lastly, check websites of local historical societies, or even contact them with a request for info.

Be careful, though. It can become an addiction....even an obsession.

 

[Daulton]

What was his name?

His enlistment name is Henry H Ruff b 1842 in South Carolina. They all four enlisted on the 10th of August 1861 at Itawamba Mississippi in company B Third battalion Mississippi infantry. Two were the sons of John Henry and two were sons of George Andrew Ruff. I'm looking right now for John Henry's sons. George Whitfield was my great grandfather. Complex answer..sorry.

 

[huskerblitz]

Yes, his records are on Fold3

 

[huskerblitz]

If you want to send me your email in a private message I can send them to you.

 

[Daulton]

Getting back to this original question:
I have had incredible luck with several of my Confederate ancestors by looking for previously published books, such as post-war memoirs by their commanding officers, which was fairly common. I have found stories about two of my Confederate ancestors that way.
I've also scored by looking at the sources of each publication or book, to see where the author got his information. Check the bibliography of the book you have, then look into those publications. Some of those you might find are readable on-line if you google them. Some you can read at your local library by inter-library loan, just for the cost of shipping.
Google the heck out of your ancestor's name. If it's a common name it will be more challenging, but you might be surprised what you can find. I did some research for a friend several years ago and found that his great grandfather bought a piano from a dealer in 1903. Use your imagination on any angle you can think of and follow every lead to the absolute end. And consider going personally to a home town and looking through records at the courthouse or local library. You can find fantastic things there too.
Lastly, check websites of local historical societies, or even contact them with a request for info.

Be careful, though. It can become an addiction....even an obsession.

Great information. It's too late and is a small obsession. The book I bought has opened a lot of doors. I had no idea the battles they took part in. I have been discovering parts of the book almost while we speak and you advice I've recorded for reference. I appreciate your help. I did pursue a Henry Ruff who died in battle for a long time only to find out he was a Union soldier from Germany with the same name. I have been writing down their commanding officers. His immediate commander I think was Col John Weir. I will see what I can find about him. I think I did have th

These may be on Fold3 (which I have access to). There are a number of Mississippi regiments with their compile service records scanned.

If you can let us know Henry's name, we might be able to locate him on that site and get you his CSR.

Is a compiled service record contain more information than a record of his muster roll cards?
at idea early one morning but forgot about it. We have been doing some elaborate searches for other ancestors which have paid off.

 

[huskerblitz]

Is a compiled service record contain more information than a record of his muster roll cards?
at idea early one morning but forgot about it. We have been doing some elaborate searches for other ancestors which have paid off.

Not really, but that is all I have searched for at this point. But I have them downloaded and can send them if you would like. If you have copies already that's okay too.

 

[UCVRelics]

His enlistment name is Henry H Ruff b 1842 in South Carolina. They all four enlisted on the 10th of August 1861 at Itawamba Mississippi in company B Third battalion Mississippi infantry. Two were the sons of John Henry and two were sons of George Andrew Ruff. I'm looking right now for John Henry's sons. George Whitfield was my great grandfather. Complex answer..sorry.

Here are George and Johns let me know if you need the others.

 

[Daulton]

If you want to send me your email in a private message I can send them to you.

I don't want you to go to any trouble. One of the other guys sent me copies of both George and Henry's Muster Roll records. If there is more information that that it would be very valuable to us. My email is [email protected].
I'm going to start another thread, a question about the battle of Resaca on May 14th and 15th 1864. That is where I think Henry was killed. I don't think it's right to twist this thread in that direction is it? I should ask a new question.

 

[UCVRelics]

Here are the first 50 pages of the unit info it covers Co. B

 

[Daulton]

Here are George and Johns let me know if you need the others.

Thank you Sir for your service.. and also for being so dedicated to hunting relics. I'm impressed. I'll bet you have quite a collection. I watched a video the other night of a guy picking miniballs out of a creek. He also found a Union belt buckle. I had no idea people were out there still picking up stuff. I was an Army lab tech and retired a Master Sgt. Back to these records.. April and March 1864 are the last Muster Rolls for both my ancestors. I wonder if they were just too busy to do any bookkeeping around that time? Also I want to thank you for sending these to me. I've started doing some reading now from the eight or so books in there on the Civil War. This stuff is hard for me to follow. I wish there were historical studies with illustrations, films and commentary of each battle one could find. I've never looks for these things. I'll bet that what going to a battle field and hearing what the ranger says is for.

 

[CW_Ancestors]

I'm jumping on this thread because my cousin Daulton started it and we're still looking for answers as to where Henry H Ruff was killed (at least what battle/area). I didn't want to start a new thread on same subject!

I've reviewed their service records and also info in David Williamson's excellent book on their unit (3rd Battalion & 45th Regiment of Mississippi Infantry).

I found a small collection of letters from a James Jefferson Miles back to home. He was in the same company (Co. B, 45th Miss Inf. Reg.) as Henry H & George W. Ruff. Seems like he wrote these letters while they were winter camping in/near Tunnel Hill (ie - Dalton), Georgia.

In one letter to a nephew, he mentions that on Feb 8, 1864, "Mr. J. C. Partlow" would be starting back home for furlough. I think that's probably John Calvin Partlow, husband of Elvira Augusta Ruff, d/o George Andrew Ruff.
See second page of letter: https://dlg.usg.edu/record/geusc_139x0k6f6s-cor_511xd2557n-cor?canvas=1&x=1410&y=2538&w=1462

Anyone know of other sources I might search? I've seen an abstract of a book Rob Swinson was going to write on their unit, based on a regimental flag he bought at an estate sale:

https://sites.rootsweb.com/~mscivilw/32_45ConsolidatedFlagAbstract-060508.pdf

Does anyone know Rob? Did he ever write this up? Pointers here greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Matt