Guide to Federal Records

Records of the Headquarters of the Army


(Record Group 108)
1828-1903
95 cu. ft.

Overview of Records Locations

Table of Contents

  • 108.1 ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY
  • 108.2 RECORDS OF HEADQUARTERS 1828-1903 200 lin. ft.
  • 108.2.1 General records
  • 108.2.2 Fiscal records
  • 108.2.3 Records of staff officers
  • 108.2.4 Miscellaneous records
  • 108.3 RECORDS OF HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY IN THE FIELD 1862-65, 1898 17 lin. ft.
  • 108.4 RECORDS OF THE CAVALRY BUREAU 1863-66 5 lin. ft.
  • 108.4.1 Records of the Chief of Cavalry
  • 108.4.2 Records of the Assistant Inspector General
  • 108.4.3 Records of the Cavalry Depot, Giesboro, DC

108.1 ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established: In the War Department by an act of March 2, 1821 (3 Stat. 615), to consist of the Commanding General of the Army and his staff.

Predecessor Agencies:

  • Commanding General of the Army (1798-99)
Functions: Distributed military forces and disciplined troops.

Abolished: August 15, 1903, by an act of February 14, 1903 (32 Stat. 830).

Successor Agencies: War Department General Staff, under the Chief of Staff of the Army.

Finding Aids: Aloha South, comp., Inventory of the Records of the Headquarters of the Army, Inv. 1 (1970).

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108.2 RECORDS OF HEADQUARTERS
1828-1903
200 lin. ft.

History: Position of Commanding General of the Army, with the rank of lieutenant general, established by the act creating the provisional army, May 28, 1798 (1 Stat. 558). Filled by appointment of George Washington, July 13, 1798, and lapsed upon Washington's death, December 14, 1799. Reconstituted, with the rank of major general, by the act fixing the military peace establishment, March 2, 1821 (3 Stat. 615), and filled by the appointment of Maj. Gen. Joseph Brown, June 1, 1821. Vacant, November 24, 1846-May 10, 1849, during absence of Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, commanding a field army in Mexico; and March 11- July 23, 1862, between relieving of Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan and appointment of Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck. Commanding General's position and staff support positions, collectively designated Headquarters of the Army, were filled continuously thereafter until replaced by the War Department General Staff in the army reorganization of 1903. SEE 108.1.

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108.2.1 General records

Textual Records: Letters sent, press copies, and indexes, 1828- 46, 1849-69, 1873-1903, including letters sent by Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott on an 1859 expedition to San Juan Island, Washington Territory, and by Maj. Gen. H.W. Halleck as General in Chief and Chief of Staff, 1862-65. Letters received, with registers and indexes, 1828-46, 1849-69, 1873-1903. Correspondence relating to appointments and brevet promotions, 1847-48, 1861-65; to various subjects of special concern to army headquarters, 1863-99; and to administrative problems, 1895-1900. Telegrams sent and received, 1861-69, 1879-88. Endorsements, 1845-46, 1849-65, 1873-1903. General and special orders issued and received, 1835-39, 1849-61, 1873-76. Annual reports of the Commanding General, 1877-1901.

Microfilm Publications: M857.

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108.2.2 Fiscal records

Textual Records: Letters sent requesting warrants for payment of expenses, 1839-61. Salary and contingent accounts ledger, 1836- 61. General service clerks' service and pay accounts, 1877-86.

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108.2.3 Records of staff officers

Textual Records: Letters sent and received and other records of staff officers, including those of Asst. Adjs. Gen. Robert N. Scott, 1864-65, and Thomas Ward, 1900-2, and the Assistant Quartermaster, 1897.

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108.2.4 Miscellaneous records

Textual Records: Proceedings of the Military Board, 1832-35. Lists of officers reporting to headquarters, 1849-50, 1853-61, 1874-76. Discharge, resignation, and leave of absence lists, 1853-65, 1902-3. Station books, 1865-68, 1875-76. Descriptive books of posts in the Division of the Pacific and the District of Texas, 1868. Marksmanship register, 1881-1903. Personnel, arms, and ammunition reports, 1895-96.

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108.3 RECORDS OF HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY IN THE FIELD
1862-65, 1898
17 lin. ft.

Textual Records: Letters and endorsements sent, 1864-65. Letters received and registers, 1864-65. Special orders, 1864-65. Reports received, 1864-65. Letters and telegrams sent by Aide-de-Camp C.B. Comstock, 1864-65. Records of Asst. Adj. Gen. T.S. Bowers, 1862-65. Communications sent and received, and issuances, Headquarters of the Army in the Field in Florida, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, 1898.

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108.4 RECORDS OF THE CAVALRY BUREAU
1863-66
5 lin. ft.

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108.4.1 Records of the Chief of Cavalry

Textual Records: Letters and endorsements sent, 1863-65. Letters received and registers, 1863-65. Applications for appointments as veterinary surgeons, 1863-65. Inspection reports of cavalry, 1864-65. Strength returns, 1863-65. Reports relating to the efficiency of carbines and rifles of the Office of the Chief of Cavalry, 1863-65.

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108.4.2 Records of the Assistant Inspector General

Textual Records: Letters and endorsements sent, 1864-66. Letters received and registers, 1864-66. Telegrams sent and received, 1864-66. Inspection reports, 1864-65.

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108.4.3 Records of the Cavalry Depot, Giesboro, DC

Textual Records: Morning reports, 1864-66. Registers and lists relating to horses, mules, forage, and transportation, 1863-66.


Bibliographic note: Web version based on Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States. Compiled by Robert B. Matchette et al. Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1995.
3 volumes, 2428 pages.

Ordering information

This Web version is updated from time to time to include records processed since 1995.


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