Hello,

I have seen this reference "Distinguished Service" pop up recently when related to Civil War service. Where is this coming from? I have been researching Civil War soldiers since I was 14 (I am 40 now) and have never in any official documentation have seen the term "Distinguished Service" or anything like that. It sounds like something that an Ancestry or Genealogical website has made up. As far as records reflecting the names of spouses, the Compiled Military Service Record would reflect the name of the spouse if the soldier was killed and the spouse went to the county court to file with the government for the balance of the deceased soldier's pay, and allowances due.

Respectfully,

Gerald D. Hodge, Jr.
War Between the States Historian
Historian: 39th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment
http://39thgavolinfrgt.homestead.com/39thHomepage.html