First, during the Civil War death as a result of disease occured far more often than as a result of combat.

Second, unless two men by this name served in Hatch's 8th Alabama Cavalry, the date of death cannot be accurate. A record of capture for John McFarland shows that he became a prisoner of war during Wilson's Raid. He was taken prisoner near Tuskegee AL on Apr. 14, 1865, and turned over to the provost marshal the next day.

John McFarland belonged to Co. "F", Hatch's 8th Alabama Cavalry, Armistead's Brigade. In mid-April of 1865 remants of Armistead's and Clanton's Cavalry Brigades resisted General Wilson's eastward advance towards Montgomery and then Columbus, Ga.