This document is from Jean Church’s research.

Military Records

North Carolina Archives has various collections of records relating to most of the wars the colony state was involved in from the reign of Queen Anne through the twentieth century. Military records throughout the nation for veterans in the twentieth century are not open to the public for genealogical research. They are protected by privacy laws. Most of the military records arefinanical records. The dates of some of the wars:

Tuscarora Indian War- 1711- 1717- Early massacre 22 Sep. 1711 precipitated a war between the Tuscarora Indian Nation and the colonist of North Carolina Colonist, which lasted for four years. The war was fought with considerable financial assistance from Virginia and military assistance from South Carolina.

The Spanish Alarm- 1739-1748- Known by other names War of Jenkin’s Ear 1739-1744, and King Geroge’s War 1744-1748 or the combined War of Austrain Succession, it is known in north Carolina as the Spanish Alarm. With the outbreak of England’s war with Spain, North Carolina raised foru Companies of one hundred men each to join other colonial troops in the siege of Cartagena (in present day Columbia). One Company in the command of James Innes set sail from the colony in 1740 and returned after two fever-ridden years with only twenty-five survivors. North Carolina suffered in the Spanish attacks on the ports and shipping towns, and had to raise troops to protect the coastal area of the colony.

The French and Indian War-1755-1763- This war was known as the Seven Years War in Europe. The British colonist and units of the regular British Army and their Indian Allies fought the French and their Indian Allies. They fought in the south and north of of present day United States and in Canada. A small number of North Carolina men fought in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York South Carolina and North Carolina. Almost all of the original troop list and pay vouchers are in the North Carolina Archives.

The War of the Regulation- 1768-1771- Regulation movements (private citizens banding together to regulate fellows of lawless disposition) often occurred on frontiers. On the pacific frontier in the late 1850’s they were call Vigilantes, on the South Carolina Frontier in 1760’s they were called Regulators. North Carolina they were called regulators in the 1760’s, with a force of 3,700 men. But here in our state they were not after outlaws, but attempting to regulate the officers of the law who were highhanded, unscrupulous, unmerciful, and morally dishonest. Of course the Regulators were attacking established government. Gov. Wm. Alexander Tryon met the threat of insurrection by offering a bounty of forty shillings for militiaman. With this force of 1, 461 militiamen in the Battle of Alamance the Regulators were squashed on 16 May 1771.

The Revolutionary War- 1776-1783- the war declaring our independence from Brittan. North Carolina relied on credit to finance the participation in the war. Which resulted in vouchers, certificates, and other papers issued by the state. When paid they were punched with penny sized holes. This type of records and other list of troops can be found in the North Carolina Archives. Most Pension records are held in the National Archives, there are micro-filmed copies at the North Carolina Archives. Other important documents are Bounty Land Warrants and Grants, Roster of Soldiers. Troop Rosters and returns. Records of Loyalist and confiscated property. Account Books. Receipt Books. Roster on North Carolina Continental Line. There are many sources on the Revolutionary war at the North Carolina Archives.

Cherokee Indian War-1776-1790- Major North Carolina forces were involved in this war. Large bodies of militiamen from western counties were involved in the war and the removal of the Cherokee. Some accounts and records in The First Chickamauga Expedition 1779, The Second Chickamauga Expedition 1782, third Chickamauga Expedition 1787. Cumberland Battalion 1786-1789.

War of 1812- 1812 6 months- War was declared by United States on Great Brittan on 18 June 1812 and lasted six months. Six Divisions of North Carolina Militia were over 50,000 strong were in this war. It was over trade concessions that had been held over us by Great Brittan, since the Revolutionary War, and was in actual a conclusion, of the Revolutionary War. Muster rolls, account books and pay vouchers. There are many records for this war at the North Carolina and National Archives.

War with Mexico- 1846-1848- Started when Mexico attacked American Armed Forces occupying contested boarders between Texas and Mexico. War was declared 13 May 1846. Papers of Gov. Wm. Alexander Graham has some of the records, rolls of volunteers who served in this war.

Civil War- 1861-1865- nc Archives has a great wealth of records pertaining to the Civil War. Confederate Veterans Pension Applications, Confederate soldiers Home records. Rosters of those who served, Confederate Gravestones records, Petitions for Pardons, Bounty Pay Rolls, just to name a few.

Spanish American War-1898-1899- Declared on 20 April 1898. North Carolina raised 3 Regements of Volunteers from the State Guard and inactive militia. The Firs Reg. went to Chickamauga, TN, then to Fl, and on to Cuba. Most records of this war are held in the National Archives.

World War 1-1917-1919- Records of this war are found in the National Archives. There may be a few at the North Carolina Archives, and some on micro-film pertaining to North Carolina.

World War 11- 1941-1945- Records of this war are at the National Archives. North Carolina has separation records for some 300,000 men who served. There may be related activities housed in the North Carolina Archives.