Excellent point, Mike. Especially when you consider that in just about all the civil wars I can think of, the winning side systematically tried to destroy all traces of the losing side. Only in America did the winning side go to great lengths to preserve the records of the losing side for posterity -- and not only that, but later used those records to help the veterans of the losing side to obtain pensions. Just another trait that sets our nation apart from all others.

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Just a few examples of lost records --

This muster roll is correct to the best of my knowledge, my Company books being lost in capture of Island 10 April 8, 1862. M. D. VANCE, Capt. Co. A, 11 Reg. Ark. Vol.

All the Books, papers and Blanks belonging to the Company were lost at the surrender of Island 10 on the 8th day of April 1862 and this muster was made out as near correct as possible. J. M. SANDERS, Capt. of Co. C, 11th Arkansas.

At the time of our surrender I lost all my books and papers. This muster roll is made out from the information that I can get and is correct so far as can well be made. A. A. CRAWFORD, Capt. Co. D, 11 Ark. Regt C.S.A.