The Texas Adjutant General's Department created and maintained records that have served as proof of the service of specific individuals in the Army of the Republic of Texas. These records consist of enlistment and discharge papers, plus affidavits of service, pay and claim vouchers. They comprise the service records of the Army of the Republic, 1836-1845. There are approximately 1,368 files. A typical enlistment record contains the following information: city and date, name of the enlistee, place of birth, age, height, complexion, color of eyes and hair, profession, and term of enlistment. After an oath that I will bear true Faith and Allegiance to the Republic of Texas, and that I will serve her faithfully and honestly against all her Enemies and Opposers whomsover; and that I will observe and obey the Orders of the President of the Republic of Texas, and the Orders of the Officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War is the signature of the enlistee and of the official taking the oath.

The Texas Adjutant General's Department created and maintained records that have served as proof of the service of specific individuals in the Navy of the Republic of Texas. These records consist of copies of receipts, usually narrow strips of paper, constituting proof of payment for services. They comprise (rather artificially) the service records of the Navy of the Republic, 1836-1845. There are approximately 895 files. A typical voucher gives the place (often a ship) and date, with a statement such as Rec'd from A. Hurd, Purser of Navy, twenty dollars as bounty for entering the naval service of the Republic of Texas. Signatures of the enlistee and a witness follow.

The Texas Adjutant General's Department created and maintained records that have served as proof of the service of specific individuals in the Mounted Volunteers of the State of Texas. These records consist of paymaster's certificates, assignments of powers of attorney, and affidavits of service. They comprise the service records of the Mounted Volunteers, 1854-1861. There are approximately 375 files. A typical affidavit of service gives the following information: county, name, rank, name of Captain, place and date of mustering into service, place and date of discharge, length of service, name of appointed agent and attorney, and signature of the volunteer discharged, the witness, and the official taking the affidavit.

The Texas Adjutant General's Department created and maintained records that have served as proof of the service of specific individuals in the Minute Men of the State of Texas. These records consist of powers of attorney and letters from the Adjutant General regarding service. They comprise, somewhat artificially, the service records of Minute Men, 1855-1862 and 1872-1874. There are approximately 76 files. A typical power of attorney gives the following information: name of minute man, rank, captain, company (e.g., Lampasas County Minute Men), dates of mustering in and out, date of power of attorney, and signatures.

The Texas Adjutant General's Department created and maintained records that have served as proof of the service of specific individuals in the Texas State Troops during the Civil War. These records consist of discharge papers; copies of orders, extracts of special orders, etc.; and copies of Adjutant General correspondence regarding service. They comprise the service records of Texas State Troops, 1861-1865. There are approximately 482 files. A typical discharge includes the following information: name, rank, captain, company, regiment, mustering officer, place and date of mustering in, term of service, and reason for discharge. This is followed by dates and dollar amounts due the soldier for pay, use of horse, use of arms, pay for traveling from place of discharge to place of mustering into service, and clothing; then the amount he is indebted to the State of Texas for clothing furnished him in kind, and the contract price of the ration. These discharges end with the place, date, and signature of the commanding officer.

The Texas Adjutant General's Department maintained records that have served as proof of the service of specific individuals in the Confederate States Army in Texas. These records consist of copies of correspondence from the U.S. War Department to the Adjutant General of Texas, confirming service in the Confederate States Army, plus other supporting documentation. They comprise (rather artificially) the service records of some of the soldiers in the Confederate States Army in Texas, 1861-1865. There are approximately 204 files. A typical item of correspondence from the War Department would read as following: The records show that one B.F. Price (not borne as Ben F. Price) Corporal, Company C, 23rd Regt. Texas Cavalry, Confederate States Army, enlisted July 1, (year not shown) at Clarksville, for 3 years. The muster roll for January and February, 1864, only roll on file, shows him absent, on detached service since February 3. No later record of him has been found.

The Texas Adjutant General's Department created and maintained records that have served as proof of the service of specific individuals in the State Police of the State of Texas during Reconstruction. These records consist of certificates of appointment, pay vouchers, and subvouchers. They comprise the service records of the State Police, 1870-1871. There are approximately 872 files. A typical certificate of appointment gives the following information: name of Governor (Edmund J. Davis), name of policeman, rank, and date. They are countersigned by the Secretary of State. Pay vouchers and sub-vouchers give dates, pay per month, total pay, name, rank, and district; they also contain signatures of the Chief of State Police and the policeman himself.

The Texas Adjutant General's Department created and maintained records that have served as proof of the service of specific individuals in the Frontier Forces of the State of Texas during Reconstruction. These records consist of copies of final statements whose originals were filed in the Comptroller's office of the State of Texas. They comprise the service records of the Frontier Forces, 1870-1871. There are approximately 798 files. A typical final statement gives the following information: name, rank, captain's name, company, birthplace, age, height, complexion, eye and hair color, occupation, place and date mustered into service, term of service, reason of discharge (Special Order Number), inclusive dates for which pay is due, and account of debts (including one Winchester carbine). The place and date of discharge are followed by the signatures of the company commander and the Adjutant General.

The Texas Adjutant General's Department created and maintained records that have served as proof of the service of specific individuals in the Frontier Battalion of the State of Texas (the predecessor of the Ranger Force). These records consist of discharge certificates and descriptive lists. They comprise the service records of the Frontier Battalion, 1874-1901, bulk 1874-1898. There are approximately 2,916 files. A typical discharge certificate gives the following information: date, name, rank, name of company commander, letter of company, date of muster, name of last officer paying him, final date of last pay, date to which pay is still due him, amount due, and amounts and reasons of indebtedness. The descriptive list was for identification, will be kept in possession of the Ranger to whom it refers, and will be exhibited as a warrant of his authority. A typical descriptive list gives the following information: name, rank, company designation, age, height, color of hair and complexion, place of birth, occupation, when and where enlisted, and by whom. The end of the list gives place and date and is signed by the company commander.

The Texas Adjutant General's Department created and maintained records that have served as proof of the service of specific individuals in the Texas Volunteer Guard (the predecessor of the Texas National Guard). These records consist of enlistment certificates, applications and descriptive lists, discharge certificates, and clothing charts. They comprise the service records of the Texas Volunteer Guard, 1881-1903, bulk 1886-1902. There are approximately 4,414 files. A typical enlistment certificate/application and descriptive list gives the following information: date, name of enlistee, name of captain, designation of company, age, weight, height, color of hair and eyes, complexion, place of birth, and occupation; the applicant then signs an oath. Some of the earlier certificates give only name, place of birth, age, occupation, date, and signature. A typical discharge certificate gives the following information: name, rank, company, regiment, date of enlistment, birthplace, age at enlistment, height, complexion, color of eyes and hair, occupation, and reason for discharge (including dishonorable discharges, e.g. nonpayment of dues and non-attendance at drill). A typical clothing chart gives all appropriate sizes for coat, overcoat, vest, and pants; it then gives peculiarities...so far as it will assist in making a good fit (stooping shoulders, stands erect, sloping shoulders, square shoulders, height, weight, age).

The Texas Adjutant General's Department created and maintained records that have served as proof of the service of specific individuals in the United States Volunteers from the State of Texas during the Spanish-American War. These records consist of receipts for pay owed for service in Texas prior to mustering into U.S. service in the Spanish-American War, voucher affidavits, oaths of enlistment, receipts for Texas service for Volunteers killed in action, and claim vouchers for service in the Texas Volunteers prior to rejection by a U.S. Medical Examiner. They comprise the service records of the United States Volunteers (Spanish-American War), 1898. There are approximately 4,400 files. A typical affidavit gives the following information: name, rank, company, regiment, place and date of assembly, place and date of rendezvous, date mustered into U.S. service, signature, and date of affidavit. Attached to the affidavit is usually a receipt for pay from date of assembly/rendezvous to date of muster.

The Texas Adjutant General's Department created and maintained records that have served as proof of the service of specific individuals in the Regular Rangers and the Ranger Force of the State of Texas. These records consist of memoranda from the Adjutant General of Texas to the U.S. Commissioner of Pensions regarding records of service in the Indian Wars, 1855-1861; and enlistment/oath of service/description forms, and warrants of authority/descriptive lists relating to service in the Ranger Force, 1901-1935. They comprise the service records of the Texas Rangers, 1855-1861 and the Ranger Force, 1901-1935, bulk 1901-1935. There are approximately 1,407 files. A typical memorandum to the federal Commissioner of Pensions gives the following information: name on muster roll, designation (rank and company), name of commanding officer, dates of service, campaigns, personal description, age, occupation, place of birth, and tracing of signature. A typical Oath of Service for the Ranger Force gives the Ranger's signature to the oath, place and date of the oath, plus the following description: age, height, weight, hair, eyes, complexion, where born, occupation, letter designation of company, value of horse, and by whom enlisted. The later forms, Warrant of Authority and Descriptive List,” and “Enlistment, Oath of Service, and Description, give all of the previous details, plus residence address. In addition, the enlistment certificate gives marital status, and previous service.

The Texas Adjutant General's Department created and maintained records that have served as proof of the service of specific individuals in the Special Rangers of the State of Texas. These records consist of two kinds of forms: enlistment, oath of service and description, and warrant of authority and descriptive list. They comprise the service records of the Special Rangers, 1916-1934. There are approximately 4,161 files. A typical enlistment, oath of service and description form gives the following information: name, place of birth, age, occupation, date of enlistment, signature, date of oath, height, complexion, color of eyes and hair, weight, residence, marital status, and previous service. A typical warrant of authority and descriptive list gives name, rank, age, birth place, height, weight, hair, eyes, complexion, occupation, residence, where and when enlisted, by whom enlisted, and an expiration date for the warrant.

The Texas Adjutant General's Department created and maintained records that have served as proof of the service of specific individuals in the Loyalty Rangers of the State of Texas during World War I. These records consist of enlistment, oath of service and description forms. They comprise the service records of the Loyalty Rangers, 1918. There are approximately 486 files. A typical enlistment, oath of service and description gives the following information: name, place of birth, age, occupation, date of enlistment, signature, date of oath, height, complexion, color of eyes and hair, residence, marital status, and previous service.

The Texas Adjutant General's Department created and maintained records that have served as proof of the service of specific individuals in the Railroad Rangers of the State of Texas. These records consist of two kinds of forms: enlistment, oath of service and description, and warrant of authority and descriptive list. They comprise the service records of the Railroad Rangers, 1922-1935. There are approximately 1,081 files. A typical enlistment, oath of service and description form gives the following information: name, place of birth, age, occupation, date of enlistment, signature, date of oath, height, complexion, color of eyes and hair, weight, residence, marital status, and previous service. A typical warrant of authority and descriptive list gives name, rank, age, birth place, height, hair, eyes, complexion, occupation, residence, where and when enlisted, and by whom enlisted.

The Texas Adjutant General's Department created and maintained records that have served as proof of the service of specific individuals in the Texas National Guard. These records consist of enlistment, description and physical examination forms (or description, physical record and enlistment and other variants), oaths of office for officers of the Texas National Guard, extracts from service records, and memoranda to the Adjutant General concerning service records. They comprise the service records of the Texas National Guard, 1901-about 1929, bulk 1901-1911. There are approximately 11,750 files. The typical description and enlistment portion of the form gives the following information: company, regiment, name, place of birth, age, occupation, date of enlistment, signature, date of oath, name of recruiting officer, height, complexion, eyes, hair, previous military or naval service, grade or rank; some forms also give marital status, residence address, and telephone number. The physical examination/record portion of the form gives some combination of the following: figure and general appearance, weight, height, vision, hearing, chest and contained organs, size of chest in inches (expiration and inspiration), mobility, abdomen and contained organs, genito-urinary apparatus, upper extremities, lower extremities, skin, piles, rheumatism, varicose veins, varicocele, coughs, hernia, feet, previous sickness, heart, teeth, personal marks, and remarks, all certified by an examining surgeon. Consent in case of minor is given by the parent or guardian.