There are three finding aids to federal Civil War Pensions. They are NOT the SAME.
There are:
1) “General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934.” T288. 544 rolls. This index is strictly alphabetical.
Scroll down--there is information on other microfilm publications besides T288. This index is also
2) “Organization Index to Pension Files of Veterans Who Served Between 1861 and 1900.” T289. 765 rolls. 16mm. [rolls 1-400].(Scroll partially down the page as there is information on other microfilm publications on this page.) This index is not by soldier, but rather by unit. The cards are arranged alphabetically by state, then by arm of service (infantry, cavalry, artillery), then numerically by regiment, and then alphabetically by veteran's surname. The information is similar to the information contained on the General Index to Pension Files T288.
3) “Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933.” M850. 2,539 rolls. [rolls 1-1000].
NARA has all three. The Family History Library has all three. Ancestry.com has 1 online and Footnote.com
has 2 online.
Our article on pension records discusses them in more detail. Know what you are searching and do not let anyone tell you these are the same index. They are not.
Remember: the educated genealogist makes better decisions and does better research. The uninformed builds his own brick walls around himself.