For the Civil War, 1861-1865. {Note: The Act of 17, July 1862, stated: "Any ALIEN of the age 21 yrs. and older, ho enlisted, or may enlist in the armies of the United States, either the reguars or volunteer forces, and has been, or may be hereafter, honorably discharged, shall be admitted to become a citizen of the United States, upon his petition, without any previous declaration of intention to become such; and he shall no be required to prove more than 1 yrs. residence."} this did not allow for automatic citizenship, the person still had to apply, but the naturaliztion process was expedited. 1]. Civil War pension forms (2 UNION forms): <http://www.rootdig.com/pensions> from Micheal Neill. also a great article about before pensions, explains various finding aids that can be used. 2]. Online Civil War Indexes: <http://www.militaryindexes.com/civilwar> 3] How to order forms/records: <http://www.genealogybranches.com/civil war/> 4].Finding Compiled Military Service Records: <http://www.genealogybranches.com/civilwar/servicerecords.html>. 5. By CYNDIHOW's: <http://www.oz.net/cyndihow/pensions.htm> 6]. Godfrey Library - "Military":A long list of civil war resources: <www.Godfrey.org/> No Coding required, click on Yellow folder labeled "Military". 7] African History of the Civil War: <http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/history/aa_history.htm> Most African persons were enlisted into the UNION Army, in anttisapation of the "Emancipatipion Proclamation" act of 1863. Approx. 180,000 African's, comprising 163 units, served the Army. 8]. GEN-NEWBIE-D Digest, Vol 4 #1227 of their archive's of 14, November 2004 has a great history of the requirements of the enlisted man's requirements. 9]. Ancestry .com/Military, has a significant amout of info. 10]. The U.S. National Personnel Records Center {NPRC} has opened all its records for individual Offical Military Records of those who served or were discharged, retired or died while in service prior to 1946. BUT, thee files are only open to direct family members, ie: the Vet himself/herself, next of kn {with proof}, Father, Mother, Son, Daughter, Sister, Brother. Spouces can only gain info IF NOT REMARRIED. <http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/index.html> 11]. Civil War Cavalry: Horse soliders: <http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/soldiers.htm>..a great site for basic research. 12]. Confederate Pension Records: {Listed by States}. <http://wwwarchives.gov/research_room/genealogy/military/confederate_pension_records.html> con't... If any links are expired, please let me know. ~hum.Linda~ Words are the window to the Heart.