Military Records
DD-214 forms are held at the National Archives
The Archives has a wide range of original records and published works that can help document the service of soldiers from Maryland. Most of the Archives’ records are about soldiers recruited by the state, either as militia or for federal service, including enlistment records and administrative records. For soldiers in federal service, there may be additional records found at the National Archives. The type of material available varies depending on the conflict or time period. Military service records of individual soldiers generally include some or all of the following information: dates of enlistment/discharge; ranks held; places served; if killed, wounded, or captured; pay received; pension information. Other records can be used to study the state’s war effort, the history of particular units, and the like. How to Use This GuideThe 'Find a Military Record' section below shows available records organized by conflict/time period, and Maryland militia/National Guard records. Each section is divided into Basic Research and In-Depth Research. - Basic Research generally consists of published service records, many of which are accessible online.
- In-Depth Research consists of original records, including some with separate indexes. This material may be more challenging to use, and may require an in-person visit to the State Archives.
Ordering Copies Click to order copies of National Guard service records, 1898-1959 Click to order copies of National Guard service records after 1959 Click to order copies of records in the Maryland State Papers To order copies of other records, please contact the Maryland State Archives Help Desk at msa.helpdesk@maryland.gov. Find a Military Record :Colonial EraThe Archives has only scattered records of military service from the colonial era. Service records during this period of time may be incompletely documented, or scattered across several record series. The index lists some individuals who served in the colonia militia and Maryland's contingent of soldiers in the French and Indian War - Maryland Indexes (Musters and Pay Rolls, Index) 1732-1772: MSA S1418 available online
The index above provides references to these records: - Governor and Council (Colonial Muster Rolls) 1732-1749: MSA S962 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view
- Records of militia service 1732-1749
- Commissioners for Emitting Bills of Credit (Colonial Payroll) 1767-1776: MSA S960 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view
- Records of soldiers in Maryland’s contingent of soldiers in the French and Indian War
Additional French and Indian War service information and muster rolls were published in the Maryland Historical Magazine (free registration required). See the following issues: - vol. 5, no. 3 (Sep. 1910), p. 271-289
- vol. 70, no. 1 (Spr. 1975), p. 104-109
- vol. 70, no. 2 (Sum. 1975), p. 224-226
References to military service may appear in the records of the General Assembly or the Governor, many of which are online through the Archives of Maryland Online:
Executive Records
Legislative Records Revolutionary WarThe Archives has enlistment records and muster rolls, pay records, pension records, and other assorted administrative records and correspondence which can help document service during the Revolutionary War, as well as the activities and locations of military units. Generally, finding the full extent of a soldier’s military career during the Revolutionary War requires many sources, beginning with the published service records listed below. Maryland recruited two different types of soldiers during the Revolutionary War Regulars, who were full-time, professional soldiers who served as part of the Continental Army Militia, organized by each County, consisting of individuals prepared for local defense. Some Maryland militia units saw combat with the Continental Army, while others participated in skirmishes against British attacks in the state.
Many service records are held by the National Archives; some are available online through Fold3.com (pay site; free trials available, free at National Archives locations, and available through some public libraries) or other sources. See the National Archives’ military records page. Additional information about individual soldiers and the Revolutionary War in Maryland can be found at Finding the Maryland 400, a Maryland State Archives website with biographies of soldiers who served at the Battle of Brooklyn in 1776. For Basic Research Published service records of soldiers Published militia service records - S. Eugene Clements and F. Edward Wright, The Maryland Militia in the Revolutionary War (Silver Spring, MD: Family Line Publications, 1987) available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view
For In-Depth ResearchOnline IndexesThe indexes listed here cover a number of record series which can document service of militia troops and regular soldiers (in the Maryland Line). Information may be listed under the name of an individual soldier, or the name of a commanding officer. Revolutionary War Papers Index, MSA S1422 available online Provides references to records in Maryland State Papers (Revolutionary Papers) 1775-1825: MSA S997 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view Maryland State Papers (Blue Books) 1775-1821: MSA SM6 available online Anne Arundel County Register of Wills (Military Discharges) 1777-1786: MSA C44 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view
Pension Records The state of Maryland issued pensions to injured Revolutionary War soldiers, and to veterans in financial need. These are separate from the pensions granted by the federal government, which are online through Fold3.com. Most Maryland pensions are indexed in Revolutionary War Pension Record Index, MSA S1421 available online These pensions were granted by the state of Maryland to individuals through legislation. The laws can be found through the session laws online The payments issued for these pensions are recorded in - Treasurer of the Western Shore (Pension Roll, Military) 1811-1843: MSA S613available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view
- State Treasurer (Pension Roll, Military) 1843-1869: MSA S570 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view
A smaller number of pensions granted to officers are listed in - Auditor General (Pension Record) 1785-1797: MSA S153 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view
Bounty LandBeginning in 1777, each Maryland soldier who finished his enlistment received one 50-acre plot, while commissioned officers got four plots. The land was remote, and not of good quality, and most veterans did not take it. Many plots were claimed as abandoned land in the mid-nineteenth century. The Archives has records of these lots. To fully research the ownership of these lots, it may be necessary to consult the records described on the Land Records page. Note: These are separate from bounty land granted by the federal government, which are online through Fold3.com. To look for an individual’s bounty land: All bounty land records: Land Office (Lots Westward of Fort Cumberland) 1793-1903: MSA SE1 available online Land Office (Military Lot Plats) 1787-1935: MSA S451 available online Land Office (Military Lots Ledger) 1787-1867: MSA SE2 available online Commissioners for Reserve Land Westward of Fort Cumberland (Bounty Land Soldiers) 1789: MSA S162 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view
Maryland State PapersThere are many records that relate to military service in the large collection known as the Maryland State Papers. There are several online indexes to these records. Some of the records are also online. Council of Safety/Council of MarylandThe records of the Council of Safety and Council of Maryland contain information about military service. They are available online through the Archives of Maryland Online Other InstitutionsThe Maryland Center for History and Culture has several collections which contain service records, muster rolls, and related material. Additional Online ResourcesWar of 1812The Maryland forces who fought during the War of 1812 were members of the state’s militia. In addition to the records listed here, their service can be partially documented through militia records; see the Maryland Militia and National Guard Records page. Many service records are held by the National Archives; some are available online through Fold3.com (pay site; free trials available, free at National Archives locations, and available through some public libraries) or other sources. See the National Archives’ military records page. For Basic ResearchPublished Maryland service records from the War of 1812 For In-Depth ResearchPensions: The state of Maryland issued pensions to veterans of the War of 1812 or their widows beginning in 1867. These are separate from the pensions granted by the federal government, which are online through Fold3.com. Comptroller of the Treasury (Pension Roll, Military) 1867-1888: MSA SM121 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view Indexed by: Maryland Indexes (Pension Records, War of 1812, Index) 1867-1889: MSA S1425 available online
Service and Administrative Records In addition to militia enlistment information listed on the Maryland Militia and National Guard Records page, the Archives has several record series that contain material specific to the War of 1812. These records include administrative papers, muster rolls and other records that can document service: Maryland State Papers Correspondence to and from state officials is included in several series of the Maryland State Papers. Maryland State Papers (Scharf Collection) 1659-1909: MSA S1005 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view Maryland State Papers (Series A) 1715-1847: MSA S1004 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view
Other InstitutionsThe Maryland Center for History and Culture has several collections which contain service records, muster rolls, and related material. Mexican-American WarSome Marylanders fought in the Mexican-American War, many of them enlisting in a regiment raised in Maryland and the District of Columbia. However, the state did not raise any troops itself, and no state militia units served. Many service records are held by the National Archives; some are available online through Fold3.com (pay site; free trials available, free at National Archives locations, and available through some public libraries) or other sources. See the National Archives’ military records page. For Basic ResearchPublished service recordsFor In-Depth ResearchThe Archives has applications for duplicate discharges, as well as correspondence from the Association of Maryland Volunteers in the Mexican War. Civil WarThe Archives has enlistment and service records of soldiers who served in the Civil War in units raised in Maryland, as well as administrative records. It does not have any records from Confederate units, since they were not raised by the state of Maryland. Many service records, both Union and Confederate, are held by the National Archives; some are available online through Fold3.com (pay site; free trials available, free at National Archives locations, and available through some public libraries) or other sources. See the National Archives’ military records page. For Basic ResearchPublished Service RecordsUnited States Colored Troops During the Civil War, the Union raised seperate units of African American soldiers, both free and enslaved. In addition to the original enlistment records listed in series MSA S936 below, the Archives’ Legacy of Slavery project has research materials and biographies of some U.S.C.T. soldiers online. For In-Depth ResearchThe bulk of the original records that document military service are listed under the Adjutant General. View all Adjutant General records here. Additional records relating to these topics may be found in our Special Collections or Library catalogs. Enlistment RecordsThe Archives had many enlistment records of soldiers who fought in the state’s Union Army units, including men who were drafted, and African American who served in United States Colored Troops regiments from Maryland. The information contained in these records is generally the same as the published service records listed above, though there is sometimes more detail in the original records. In addition, non-Marylanders who served in Maryland units are listed in the original enlistment records, but not in the published records. Learn More: Civil War Muster Rolls and Muster Roll Records Bounty RecordsUnder a law passed by the General Assembly in 1864 (Chap. 15), soldiers who enlisted in Maryland units were eligible for bounty pay; slave holders were eligible for bounties for enslaved individuals they enlisted. These bounty payments are recorded in the records listed here. Learn More: Bounty Rolls Comptroller of the Treasury (Bounty Rolls) 1864-1880: MSA SM183 available online Comptroller of the Treasury (Bounty Certificates) 1864-1867: MSA S624 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view Comptroller of the Treasury (Bounty Claims) 1866-1867: MSA S625 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view Comptroller of the Treasury (Bounty Draft Abstracts) 1864-1865: MSA S626 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view Comptroller of the Treasury (Bounty Papers) 1864-1868: MSA S627 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view Comptroller of the Treasury (Bounty Receipts) 1865-1867: MSA S628 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view
Administrative recordsThese records document the organization, operations, and supplying of Maryland’s Civil War troops. Adjutant General (Civil War Papers) 1860-1867: MSA S935 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view Adjutant General (Voter Registration Record) 1865, MSA S337 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view Adjutant General (Draft Proceedings) 1862-1863: MSA S341 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view Adjutant General (Descriptive Roll) 1861-1864: MSA S325 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view Adjutant General (Morning Reports) 1863-1864: MSA S330 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view Adjutant General (Clothing Record) 1861-1874: MSA S323 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view
Burial Records Spanish-American WarThe Maryland National Guard was mobilized in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. Only the First and Fifth Regiments entered federal service, though they were never deployed out of the United States. In addition to the records listed here, service of soldiers who entered the U.S. Army as part of the National Guard can be partially documented through National Guard records; see the Maryland Militia and National Guard Records page. Records of federal service are held by the National Archives; some are available online through Fold3.com (pay site; free trials available, free at National Archives locations, and available through some public libraries) or other sources. See the National Archives’ military records page For Basic ResearchPublished Service RecordsFor In-Depth ResearchBurial RecordsWorld War IDuring World War I, some Marylanders entered the army as members of the National Guard. Others volunteered or were drafted directly into federal service. This means that there are both federal and state military records from World War I. Records of federal service, including draft records, are held by the National Archives; some are available online through Fold3.com (pay site; free trials available, free at National Archives locations, and available through some public libraries) or other sources. See the National Archives’ military records page. Service of soldiers who entered the army as part of the National Guard can be partially documented through National Guard records; see Maryland Militia and National Guard Records For Basic ResearchPublished Service RecordsFor In-Depth ResearchThe bulk of the original records that document military service are listed under the Adjutant General. View all Adjutant General records here. Additional records relating to these topics may be found in our Special Collections or Library catalogs. Draft RecordsRecords include proceedings of County draft boards and lists of men rejected or exempted from military service. Other draft-related records are held by the National Archives. Charles County Circuit Court (Militia Exemptions) 1917: MSA C673 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view Wicomico County Circuit Court (Exemptions from Military Service) 1916-1917: MSA T4390 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view United States Board of Registry for Howard County (Proceedings) 1917: MSA C1006 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view
National Guard Enlistment Records
Records compiled in 1917 in anticipation of American involvement in World War I (Laws of 1916, Chap. 311) Adjutant General (Militia Enrollments) 1917: MSA S349 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view Carroll County Circuit Court (Militia Enrollments) 1917: MSA T3980 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view St. Mary’s County Circuit Court (Militia Enrollments) 1917: MSA C1655 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view
Burial RecordsOther Administrative RecordsRecords that document the war effort by Maryland’s government can be found in a variety of record series, including under the following agencies World War IIRecords of federal service in World War II are held by the National Archives; some are available online through Fold3.com (pay site; free trials available, free at National Archives locations, and available through some public libraries) or other sources. See the National Archives’ military records page. Service of soldiers who entered the army as part of the National Guard can be partially documented through National Guard records; see the Maryland Militia and National Guard Records. For Basic ResearchPublished Service RecordsFor In-Depth Research Records of commissioned officers in the Maryland National Guard during the World War II-era. Records of pardons issued to individuals in exchange for military service in World War II Burial Records- Department of Veterans Affairs Cemetery and Memorial Programs (Burial Records) 1918-1995: MSA T5178 available at the archives, visit the circulation desk to view
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