In examining Mathew's Application for Pension(1916, I think; tt's hard to read) when he was 76 years of age, he answered several questions that may shed some light on the question. He says he was in the First Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi, Baker's Battalion about 18 months. Then he transferred to 37th Miss in the latter part of 1862, Company B. He also states in this application that he received a flesh woulnd at Osyka (which is probably Resaca). He says that he was in Company B of the 37th under a Captain Harris. He also states that he had been in prison about 6 months when his command surrendered in 1865. This was witnessed by AL McEachern and R M McKee or Mokel (these are hard to read)
I do find that in the latter part of May 1864, the brigade was engaged in the battles on New Hope Church and on Kenesaw Mountain. I also find in the battle of Peachtree Creek (latter part of May) there was a Second Lieut E.P. Harris commanding Company B.
Additionaly, this division made its way acorss the Tennessee River in November and were involved in a battle at Franklin, TN, and then Nashville. They retreated to Columbia and crossed back over the Tennessee River on Dec. 28. Does this not support his assertion in his 1924 application that he was "in Prison in Nashville, Tenn. for awhile, but was taken over the Ohio river by the UNION army into Indiana, and held."
My question is......did the UNION army catch Confederate deserters and send them to prison? I guess I am just really confused on this issue...
My belief is that he went with the 37th Mississippi all the way to Nashville, got captured, went to prison....the question here is..was he captured fighting or deserting.....and how can we find out?