Microfilm Publication M617, Returns from U.S
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Publication Number: M-617 Publication Title: Returns from U.S. Military Posts, 1800-1916 Date Published: 1968 RETURNS FROM U.S. MILITARY POSTS, 1800-1916 On the 1550 rolls of this microfilm publication, M617, are reproduced returns from U.S. military posts from the early 1800's to 1916, with a few returns extending through 1917. Most of the returns are part of Record Group 94, Records of the Adjutant General's Office; the remainder is part of Record Group 393, Records of United States Army Continental Commands, 1821-1920, and Record Group 395, Records of United States Army Overseas Operations and Commands, 1898-1942. The commanding officer of every post, as well ad commanders of all other bodies of troops such as department, division, brigade, regiment, or detachment, was required by Army Regulations to submit a return (a type of personnel report) to The Adjutant General at specified intervals, usually monthly, on forms provided by that office. Several additions and modifications were made in the form over the years, but basically it was designed to show the units that were stationed at a particular post and their strength, the names and duties of the officers, the number of officers present and absent, a listing of official communications received, and a record of events. In the early 19th century the form used for the post return usually was the same as the one used for regimental or organizational returns. Printed forms were issued by the Adjutant General’s Office, but more commonly used were manuscript forms patterned after the printed forms. The forms were generally altered, however, when the return was used specifically for posts and, by 1829, a separate printed form had evolved for the post return. By 1856 a block for “Record of Events” was added, although information of this nature had previously been included. The size of the form varied during the period 1800-1904, but it was consistently a large sheet (about 22” x 17” to 28” x 17”), printed on both sides. In 1904 the overall dimensions were reduced and the form appeared, as an eight-page booklet (13” x 11”). In 1912 the size of the return was again reduced (11 x 8 ½”), and it was folded once to make a four-page form. Continuation sheets were provided to supplement the smaller form when necessary. Most of the records reproduced in this microfilm publication are monthly post returns. Included with them are some morning reports, field, returns, rosters of officers, and related papers, which were added to the collection by the Adjutant General’s Office either as supplementary information or as substitutes for missing post returns. Field returns, for example, generally show the movement of troops or detachments to and from the post or station or give information concerning detachments in the field from units at the post. Among the related papers are some cards that contain information pertaining to wars and skirmishes with the Indians. Also included are prayers containing historical information about the post, lists of officers and commanders of the post, and data relating to the establishment and the abandonment of the post. The related papers have been filmed at the beginning of the returns for the post which they pertains. A few duplicate and corrected copies of returns are included. Corrected copied of specific returns are generally filed after the original return. The post returns were usually in triplicate. One copy was forwarded to the Adjutant General’s Office, a second was sent to the department or division head quarters, and the third or “retained” copy was kept at the post. The post returns reproduced in this microfilm publication consist mainly of the copies that had been submitted directly to the Adjutant General’s Office. Over the years, however, as records for safekeeping, it attempted to make it collection of post returns as complete as possible by removing returns from the field records to fill gaps. To make this microcopy as complete as possible, the National Archives, which now has the records in its care, continued this practice. Hence some of the returns reproduced hear the notation “retained” or “retained copy,” and some bear departmental file markings. Each post return removed from the field records by the National Archives has been stamped “Interfiled 1965-66 by the National Archives (previously in RG 98, Records of U.S. Army Commands).” The Adjutant General’s Office filed post returns alphabetically by the name of the post and thereunder in chronological order. Posts with names such as D.A. Russell or George G. Meade, however, either were arranged alphabetically by the last name or by the first name or initial; seemingly, there was no standard practice. There may be variations in spellings of names or locations of some posts, especially in the Philippine Islands. The possible alternate spelling had been inserted in brackets after the name or location of the post as given on the returns. In a few cases the location of the post was not given on the returns. When the name of a post was changed, the latest known name was generally the one under which the returns were consolidated. In some instances, however, the Adjutant General’s Office kept the earlier returns under the original name and filed the later returns under the new name. Returns for some posts, such as the multiple installations at Manila, P.I., were filed under the name of the city. A list of cross- reference filmed after these introductory remarks indicated the names of posts under which returns were consolidated also includes some named of posts whose returns were filed under two or more names. In this microfilm publication the filing scheme used by the Adjutant General’s Office has been followed, except that when returns for a post totaled less than 20, they were removed by the National Archives and filed in a second alphabetical sequence beginning on Roll 1492. On Rolls 1-1491, each roll contains returns for a single post, although returns for a specific post may be filmed on more than one roll. On Rolls 1492-1550, where the number of returns is less than 20 (except for some posts in the Philippine Islands), returns for several posts are reproduced on each roll. The returns for posts in the Philippine Islands that are reproduced on Rolls 1492-1550 were found in Record Group 98 after filming of the first alphabetical sequence had been completed. In general, the returns for a specific post cover the period of the official existence of that post. Frequently there are gaps in dates, indicating periods when the post was ungarrisoned. For some posts, however, returns are missing for periods when the post was garrisoned. Notes for Rolls 1-1491 indicate periods of tine of 3 months or longer for which there are no post returns, but they do not indicate whether the gaps occur because the post was ungarrisoned or because the returns are missing. Notes for Rolls 1492-1550 indicate all months for which there are no post returns. In this microfilm publication are returns for the Civil War period that were used by the Record and Pension Office of the War Department in its project for compiling the service records of persons who served in the Civil War. Returns from which information was abstracted were stamped with the word “carded.” Returns that were considered for abstraction but from which no information was taken were stamped “not carded.” Among related records in the National Archives, in Record Group 393, Records of United States Army Continental Commands, 1821-1920, and Record Group 395, Records of United States Army Overseas Operations and Commands, 1898-1942, are the “retained” copies and the copies of post returns forwarded to departmental headquarters. These copies duplicate the returns reproduced in this microfilm publication. There are other returns for military departments, divisions, districts, and organizations in the same two record groups and also in Record Group 94, Records of the Adjutant General’s Office; Record Group 98, Records of United States Army Commands, 1784-1821; Records Group 391, records of United States Regular Army Mobile Units, 1821-1942; and Record Group 392, Records of United States Army Coast Artillery Districts and Defense, 1901-42. LIST OF CROSS REFERENCES The list indicates the names of posts under which returns were consolidated and also includes names of posts whose returns were filed under two or more names. The figures in parentheses show the numbers of the rolls of microfilm on which the records have been reproduced. Abuyog, P.I. See Camp James, Leyte, P.I. (532) Admiralty Head, WA. See Fort Casey, WA. (188) Alamo Viejo, NM. See Camp Henly, NM. (1514) Albay, P.I. See Regan Barracks, Albay, P.I. (994) Albuygo, P.I. See Camp Downes, Leyte, P.I. (330, 331) Ambulong, Batangas, P.I. (1492). See also Batanga, P.I. (1494) Angel Island, CA. See also Fort McDowell, CA. (670,671) Anniston, AL. See Camp John T. Morgan, AL. (1525) Ardmore, OK. See Camp Frank, OK. (1510) Arivaya, NM. See Fort Breckinridge, NM. (143) Arizona District. See Mexican Border Patrol Districts (774) Augur Barracks, P.I. (52, 53). See also Jolo, Jolo, P.I. (1516) Auscila (Aucilla), Fort, FL. (1493) See also Fort Ocilla, FL. (1528) Bagumbayan, P.I. See Manila, P.I. (732) Baker, Camp. See Washington, DC. (1377) Ballast Point, CA. See Fort Rosecrans, CA. (1043) Barry, Camp, DC. See Washington DC. (1377) Batangas, P.I. (1494). See also Ambulong, Batabgas, P.I. (1492) Baton Rouge, LA. (1494). See also Baton Rouge Barracks, LA. (84) Bayambang, P.I.