The case files include records of general courts-martial, courts of inquiry, and military commissions. Case files are arranged by an alphanumeric filing scheme. These files are arranged numerically and are not included in the registers reproduced on microfilm publication M1105. The only index to this series is in the Old Military and Civil Records section of the National Archives. The index is arranged alphabetically by surname.
Desertion is a very common charge found in Civil War court-martial case files.
Many of these cases are brief and provide little testimony. There are examples, however, of cases where the finding of the court resulted in a flurry of activity, including new information being brought to light after the trial ended. A good example is the case of 2d Lt. Charles Conzet, Company B, 123d Illinois Infantry Regiment. Both the commanders of the division and the Department of the Cumberland approved the sentence and forwarded it to the President of the United States for his approval.