My gg grandfather Alexander Sims was killed March 17, 1863 while serving with the 4th Ala Cav Russell's Reg, CSA. This regiemnt was formed in Dec. of 1862. From court house records I have his enlistment dated Jan 15, 1862, Unit specified as only "4th".
My question is, "What unit did he enlist into"? He had several close relatives who served with Russell's Reg, and he lived near Col Russell's home and quite likely knew him personally prior the war. I have always assumed the mentioned 4th Ala Cav was Col Russell's 4th Ala Cav Regiment. Did Col Russell organize a Regiment of Cav,(Partisan Rangers?), for Gen Forrest before Dec. of 1862?
His wife's pension application filed in 1887 gives his unit/organization as "pvt Co G, Gen N.B. Forrest Regiment of Mounted Volunteers". This application and all her others have been witnessed and attested that Alexander did not desert and that he was personally known, indicating that even in 1887 his army records were lost.
No present day record of his service has been found except for these pension applications and the one courthouse record of enlistment.
In both 1889 and 1892 she again filed and his unit/organization is given as "pvt, Co H, 4th Ala Vol Cav".
In 1893 and 1894, two more applications have, "Srgt, Co H, 4th Ala Vol Cav".
In 1896 and 1898 two more applications have "pvt, Co H, 4th Ala Cav".
Her last application in 1899 gives "pvt, Co H, 4th Ala Vol Cav", but was granted by proxie as she was unable to travel. Shewas unable to read or write and each application, (Except the one in 1899), is signed with a witnessed "X". Therefore the Unit/Orgainzation written down was done by the court clerk. She died in 1903.

Thanks in advance

Ed Sims
Valley Mills, TX