Research


Scope and Content Note

These records were created by the Adjutant General's Office to document the military service of individual members of the New York State National Guard and Naval Militia who served in the Spanish-American War. Each abstract consists of one page, with printed headings and manuscript information grouped under three sections. The first section contains information about the individual's enlistment and includes: name; age; date of enlistment; place of enlistment; duration of enlistment; date mustered into federal service; place mustered into federal service; grade; and company and regiment.

The second section contains information on how, when, and at what grade the individual left the organization and an explanation for the departure. Information in the third section is frequently brief and sometimes not completed. It includes: remarks (e.g., commissions, promotions, dates of absences, sicknesses, death, character, fines, court-martials, confinements to guard house or hospital, furlough, forfeitures of pay, and issues of clothing); age in years; physical description (height, complexion, eyes, hair); place of birth; occupation; residence; marital status; and name and address of next of kin.

Sources of some data elements are indicated in the margin by the initials "M.I.R." for Mustering In Report, "M.R." for Muster Report, and "M.O.R." for Mustering Out Report. Dates of some reports are sometimes included. Some abstracts have additional documents attached such as special discharge, transfer or travel orders. Letters postdating the original entry which affect later corrections (such as rank or spelling of name) to the individual's records are also sometimes attached.