Hayes,

Great information! I believe this backs up my original point
(That Lockhart's Battalion could by no stretch be called conscripts) They where organized BEFORE the law that conscripted 17 year olds was passed. "Under the act of congress approved Feb. 17, 1864, a person who is between the ages of 17 and 45 years, and who is not shown to be specially exempted, is constructively in the military service of the Confederate States, and is not liable to militia duty at the call of the State" This was Governor Watts' argument against allowing the conscrtiption of these boys into other regiments as they turned 18.

Also, even if some signed up after Feb. 64 it sounds as though they were still certainly given the opportunity to volunteer. "Reserve age men could be relieved of enrolling "by forming themselves into voluntary organizations"..."