Don, Now that you have this information you need to send to the National Archives for your gggrandfather's file. It should give you some family information, particularly if he applied for a pension. The file will contain letters from family members and neighbors, testifying to his residence and possibly his marriage. One of my Civil War files included letters relating to the marriage as there was a widow's pension involved. Another of our family files had medical information for my husband's greatgrandfather, who was deafened at the Battle of Port Royal, S.C. We never knew he was deaf! It's wonderful to be able to hold copies of letters written by greatgrandparents (no typewriters back then!). I always show children the letters and they're all amazed at the penmanship! The files are very inexpensive - maybe about $12 or $15 - and are really great. They do take several weeks or even a couple of months.You can order the files online now. I have a link to the National Archives on my page. After you prove the relationship you can join Sons of Union Veterans! Good luck. Sharon Moore Colquhoun Belle Mead NJ http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~hscc/ TeeHistory@aol.com wrote: > I have just made an amazing discovery. For all of my life I knew about my > great grandfather, Paul Berrer who immigrated from Wurtemburg, Germany and > served in the 3rd US Cavalry from 1883-1888 then married and settled in > Philadelphia - but just a little while ago tonight I found an index to a > Paul Berrer who served in the 3rd Regt NJ Cavalry during the civil war ! > > The interesting thing is that I had learned about a year ago that my great > grandfather's fathers name was also Paul Berrer ! > > With this latest discovery tonight - I am believing that I have learned why > my great grandfather chose the "3rd" US Cavalry ! > > My question to the list is this....since the 3rd NJ Cavalry was mustered in > at Trenton - with his date of enlistment being 29 December 1863, do you > think that perhaps my great great grandfather was living in the area of > Trenton when he enlisted? He was discharged in 1865 with a disability of > some sort. > > Any help would be GREATLY appreciated, this is a whole new chapter for me. > > Thank you > Don