Tom,

You're certainly right about the numbering issues. I started files on the individual regiments a couple of years back-just to help keep things sorted-I very quickly had to add files for those kinds of units as well as Pioneer Corps, Invalid Corps, School Det. (? whether that was detachment or what-just has initials) 3 month troops, unassigned, undesignated,..just figuring out the multiple designations for the Louisiana Black troops will drive you nuts....the list goes on. Little by little, I fill in the blanks and the questions....For example, now I have consolidated the Invalid Corps with the Veterans Reserves...but the list I mentioned, will I am sure help also, since that is the other problem-identifying companies and regiments by name instead of designation.

Pension records alternate between driving you crazy, and making you laugh. There are the things you mentioned-and the cases of multiple aka's, multiple widows making application for the same veteran-and of course, the thousands of same name veterans-all of the George Washington's, Thomas Jeffersons, Jacksons, Adams, etc...

The non-Black piece is also there, especially in the later Regular Army. Harold Sayre and I were talking about that the other night. I have found several, and we were comparing notes on that issue.

Sharon