Confederate Pension Records

The agencies listed below are repositories for Confederate pension records. The veteran was eligible to apply for a pension to the State in which he lived, even if he served in a unit from a different State. Generally, an applicant was eligible for a pension only if he was indigent or disabled. In your letter to the repository, state the Confederate veteran's name, his widow's name, the unit(s) in which he served, and the counties in which he and his widow lived after the Civil War. Some repositories also have records of Confederate Homes (for veterans, widows, etc.), muster rolls of State Confederate militia, and other records related to the war.

For information on procedures and fees for requesting copies of records, contact the appropriate repository.

• ALABAMA
  
  Alabama Department of Archives and History
  P.O. Box 300100
  624 Washington Avenue
  Montgomery, AL 36130-0100
  Telephone: 334-242-4435

   

  In 1867 Alabama began granting pensions to Confederate veterans who had lost arms or legs. In 1886 the State began granting pensions to veterans' widows. In 1891 the law was amended to grant pensions to indigent veterans or their widows.
  
  Online:
  • Alabama Civil War Service Cards File.
  • Brief Historical Sketches of Military Organizations Raised In Alabama During the Civil War.
  • Alabama Confederate Pension and Service Records, 1862-1947 (at Ancestry.com)
     
• ARKANSAS

   

  Arkansas State Archives
  1 Capitol Mall
  Little Rock, AR 72201
  Telephone: 501-682-6900

   

  In 1891 Arkansas began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans. In 1915 the State began granting pensions to their widows and mothers. Two published indexes are available in many libraries:

   

  Allen, Desmond Walls. Index to Confederate Pension Applications (Conway, Ark.: Arkansas Research, 1991).

   

  Ingmire, Frances Terry. Arkansas Confederate Veterans and Widows Pensions Applications (St. Louis, MO: F.T. Ingmire, 1985).

   

  Online:
  • Arkansas Confederate Pension Records, 1901-1929 (at FamilySearch.org)
     
• FLORIDA
   

   

  Florida State Archives
  R. A. Gray Building
  500 South Bronough Street
  Tallahasse, FL 32399-0250
  Telephone: 850-245-6600

   

  In 1885 Florida began granting pensions to Confederate veterans. In 1889 the State began granting pensions to their widows. A published index, which provides each veteran's pension number, is available in many libraries:  Virgil D. White, Register of Florida CSA Pension Applications (Waynesboro, TN: National Historical Publishing Co., 1989).

   

  Online:
  • Florida Confederate Pension Application Files
  • Florida Confederate Veterans and Widows Pension Applications, 1885-1955 (at FamilySearch.org)
• GEORGIA

   

  Georgia Department of Archives and History
  5800 Jonesboro Road
  Morrow, GA 30260
  Telephone: (678) 364-3710

   

  In 1870 Georgia began granting pensions to soldiers with artificial limbs. In 1879 the State began granting pensions to other disabled Confederate veterans or their widows who then resided in Georgia. By 1894 eligible disabilities had been expanded to include old age and poverty. A published index is available in many libraries:  Virgil D. White, Index to Georgia Civil War Confederate Pension Files (Waynesboro, TN: National Historical Publishing Co., 1996).
• Online:
  • Georgia Confederate Pension Application Supplements
  • Georgia Confederate Enlistment Oaths and Discharges, 1861-1864
     
• KENTUCKY

   

  Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
  P.O. Box 537
  300 Coffee Tree Road
  Frankfort, KY 40601
  Telephone: 502-564-8300 ext. 350

   

  In 1912, Kentucky began granting pensions to Confederate veterans or their widows. The records are on microfilm. A published index is available in many libraries: Simpson, Alicia Simpson, Index of Confederate Pension Applications, Commonwealth of Kentucky (Frankfort, KY: Division of Archives and Records Management, Department of Library and Archives, 1978).

   

  Online:

  • Kentucky Confederate Pension Applications, 1912-1950 (as FamilySearch.org)

• LOUISIANA

   

  Louisiana State Archives
  3851 Essen Lane
  Baton Rouge, LA 70809
  Telephone: 225-922-1000

   

  In 1898 Louisiana began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans or their widows.

   

  Online:
  • Louisiana Confederate Pension Applications Index
  • Louisiana Confederate Pensions (at FamilySearch.org)
• MISSISSIPPI

   

  Mississippi Department of Archives and History
  P.O. Box 571
  Jackson, MS 39205
  Telephone: 601-576-6850

   

  In 1888 Mississippi began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans or their widows. A published index is available in many libraries: Betty C. Wiltshire, Mississippi Confederate Pension Applications (Carrollton, MS: Pioneer Publishing Co., 1994).

   

  Online:
  • Indigent and Disabled Soldiers and Dependents, 1863-1868 (Series 402)
  • Mississippi Confederate Veterans and Widows Pension Applications, 1900-1974 (at FamilySearch.org)
     
• MISSOURI

   

  Missouri State Archives
  600 W. Main
  P.O. Box 1747
  Jefferson City, MO 65102
  Telephone: 573-751-3280

   

  In 1911 Missouri began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans only; none were granted to widows. Missouri also had a home for disabled Confederate veterans. The pension and veterans' home applications are interfiled and arranged alphabetically. Typically, the pension file is small, perhaps four to eight pages, containing a standard application form and may include letters of recommendation from family members or others.

   

  Online:
  • Missouri's Union Provost Marshal Papers: 1861-1866
  • Missouri Confederate Pension Applications and Soldiers Home Applications (at FamilySearch.org)
     
• NORTH CAROLINA

   

  North Carolina State Archives
  Physical Address:
  109 East Jones Street
  Raleigh, NC 27601
  Telephone: 919-807-7310

   

  Mailing Address:
  North Carolina State Archives
  4614 Mail Service Center
  Raleigh, NC 27699-4614

   

  In 1867 North Carolina began granting pensions to Confederate veterans who were blinded or lost an arm or leg during their service. In 1885 the State began granting pensions to all other disabled indigent Confederate veterans or widows.

   

  Online:
  • North Carolina Confederate Soldiers and Widows Applications, 1885-1953 (at FamilySearch.org)
     
• OKLAHOMA

   

  Oklahoma Department of Libraries
  Archives Division
  200 Northeast 18th Street
  Oklahoma City, OK 73105
  Telephone: 405-522-3579

   

  In 1915 Oklahoma began granting pensions to Confederate veterans or their widows. A published index is available in many libraries: Oklahoma Genealogical Society. Index to Applications for Pensions from the State of Oklahoma, Submitted by Confederate Soldiers, Sailors, and Their Widows (Oklahoma City, OK: Oklahoma Genealogical Society Projects Committee, 1969)

   

  Online:
  • Index to Oklahoma Confederate Pension Records
  • Oklahoma Confederate Pension Index Cards
  • Oklahoma Confederate Pension Records
• SOUTH CAROLINA

   

  South Carolina Department of Archives and History
  8301 Parklane Road
  Columbia, SC 29223
  Telephone: 803-896-6104

   

  A state law enacted December 24, 1887, permitted financially needy Confederate veterans and widows to apply for a pension; however, few applications survive from the 1888-1918 era. Beginning in 1889, the SC Comptroller began publishing lists of such veterans receiving pensions in his Annual Report. From 1919 to 1925, South Carolina granted pensions to Confederate veterans and widows regardless of financial need. These files are arranged alphabetically. Pension application files are typically one sheet of paper with writing on both sides. Also available are Confederate Home applications and inmate records for veterans (1909-1957), and applications of wives, widows, sisters, and daughters (1925-1955).

   

  Online:
  • Confederate Pension Applications, 1919-1938
• TENNESSEE

   

  Tennessee State Library and Archives
  Public Service Division
  403 Seventh Avenue North
  Nashville, TN 37243
  Telephone: 615-741-2764

   

  In 1891 Tennessee began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans. In 1905 the State began granting pensions to their widows. The records are on microfilm. A published index is available in many libraries:  Samuel Sistler, Index to Tennessee Confederate Pension Applications (Nashville, TN: Sistler & Assoc., 1995).

   

  Online:
  • Tennessee Confederate Pension Applications: Soldiers and Widows
  • Tennessee Confederate Soldiers Home Applications
  • Tennessee Civil War Veterans' Questionnaires (Confederate and Federal)
  • Tennessee Confederate Physicians
  • Tennessee Colored Confederate Applications
     
• TEXAS

   

  Texas State Library and Archives Commission
  P.O. Box 12927
  Austin, TX 78711
  Telephone: 512-463-5455

   

  In 1881 Texas set aside 1,280 acres for disabled Confederate veterans. In 1889 the State began granting pensions to indigent Confederate veterans and their widows. Muster rolls of State militia in Confederate service are also available. A published index is available in many libraries:  Virgil D. White, Index to Texas CSA Pension Files (Waynesboro, TN: National Historical Publishing Co., 1989).

   

  Online:
  • Index to Texas Confederate Pension Applications, 1899-1975
  • Confederate Indigent Families Lists, 1863-1865
     
• VIRGINIA

   

  Library of Virginia
  Archives Division
  800 East Broad Street
  Richmond, VA 23219
  Telephone: 804-692-3777

   

  In 1888 Virginia began granting pensions to Confederate veterans or their widows. 


• Online:
  • Virginia Confederate Pension Applications (Veterans and Widows)
  • Confederate Disability Applications and Receipts (Artificial Limbs)
  • Index to Virginia Confederate Rosters
  • Index to Virginians Who Served in the Confederate Navy
  • Index to Confederate Veteran Magazine, 1893-1932
  • Robert E. Lee Camp Confederate Soldiers' Home Applications
  • Database of Virginia Military Dead