Returns from Regular Army Regiments, 1821-1916

Source Information

This database contains monthly returns from U.S. Regular Army cavalry regiments received by the Adjutant General’s Office from June 1821 to December 1916. It also contains other forms and correspondence that were filed with these returns.

The Regular Army monthly returns were to report on the strength of each regiment, including total numbers of men present, absent, sick, or on extra daily duty, as well as to give a report of officers and enlisted men by name. Later returns included an accounting of strength in terms of horses and artillery.

What Can I Find?

The forms changed numerous times over the years and so the information recorded about regiments and individuals will vary. However, the type of information generally found on the returns includes:

• Names of regimental commanders


• Names of all officers and reasons for loss or gain, if applicable


• Names of company commanders


• Stations of the regiment and companies


• Names of absent enlisted men, 1857-1904, and reason for absence


• Names of enlisted men lost and gained, 1821-1914, and reasons


• Names of enlisted men on extra or daily duty, 1857-1873, and nature of duty


• Record of events information, 1832-1916


• Total strength of both officers and enlisted men by rank, 1819-1857


• Total strength of horses by company, 1846-1916


• Total strength of artillery pieces by company, 1857-1912

Other record types filed with the returns include:

• “Historical Data” File


• Annual and quarterly returns of alterations and casualties


• Monthly returns of battalions, companies, and detachments


• Special field return and field return


• Return of casualties


• Tri-monthly field return

How to Search These Records:

These records have not been indexed and so are not searchable by name. The images can be viewed using the browse table below. The images are arranged according to unit/regiment names and year ranges. Next to the unit/regiment names are given the NARA (National Archives) microfilm series and rolls numbers, which are also referenced in the source information section of this page.

Some of the above information was taken from the Descriptive Pamphlets of National Archives Microfilm Publications M665, M690, M727, M728, and M744, National Archives, Washington, D.C. Please consult these pamphlets for a more detailed description and history of these records.