• Muster Rolls- These rolls were created at the time of a unit’s organization and disbandment.  These rolls were created (usually) bimonthly.  Muster rolls list the members of a unit arranged by rank, beginning of course with the officers. You can learn various spellings of surnames, middle names, assignments and other items they may not have been included in the soldier’s military file.
• Draft Records- Draft records were created by draft boards that covered areas such as a county or city ward.  These records proved to be controversial due to the fact that the draftees could pay into a bounty fund or directly provide a substitute to go in his place.
• Correspondence- These files are poorly indexed but could contain important information.  Many letters included in these files include details of claims, and some detail relationships.
• Descriptive Rolls-Descriptive rolls include physical traits recorded such as; height, eye & hair color, complexion etc. 
• Personnel Records- These records include individual soldiers within entire regiments.  Some states offered medals and other forms of recognition as well as furlough records, court martial records including charges and any punishments. 
• Home Guard & Militia- Records of these units are not always complete due to the fact the soldiers weren’t called up to national service.  These records include name, county and sometimes-other information such as age, personnel records and resignations.
• When the War Was Over- These records did not immediately end when Lee surrendered.  As with other state records, the information will vary from state to state and year to year.  The basic information will be listed.  Also be sure to check post Civil War “state pension” records.  In post war, especially after the formation of patriotic organizations such as the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), Ohio and other states became aware of the medical needs of their veterans.  Veteran homes and hospital records can provide information about much needed services to veterans and their families. Check for admission records and death records that exist for these institutions. 
• Locating Civil War Records- Check the state archives for records first.  Many of the archives contain published catalogs and other aids for their Adjutant General collections.  Some may even be listed online.  Some records are available on microfilm from the LDS Family History Centers.

At the LDS Web Site
www.familysearch.org
You can search for Civil War, Civil War Registers and Indexes

Quick Links-Civil War

…but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather then let it perish, and the war came.
Abraham Lincoln, 4 March 1865