The Volunteer Service Division was organized in the Office of The Adjutant General in October 1861. It was charged with all matters pertaining to the authorization, recruiting, organization, service, and discharge of Volunteer troops as organizations, together with those officers holding commissions in the United States Volunteer service.
In July 1879 the Freedmen's Branch, which had been organized to dispose of the unfinished business of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, was consolidated with the Colored Troops Division; and this in turn was consolidated in 1888 with the Volunteer Service Division. By War Department orders of July 16, 1889, the Volunteer Service Division was consolidated with the Record and Pension Division of the War Department.
From the description of Records of the Volunteer Service Division (a subgroup), 1861-1889. (National Archives Library). WorldCat record id: 122597113
