Mr. Graves originally enlisted in the 1st Alabama Cavalry at Blountsville; that initial organization was later renumbered the 12th Alabama Cavalry. Many men in the Blount County area, which stretched as far as Murphrees Valley to the Bremen and Arkadelphia communities, originally were members of the 1st, later the 12th Cavalry...in particular, Blount County men populated Companies B and C of the 12th, and a few in Company E. Of course, this original 1st Cavalry is not to be confused with the 1st Cavalry USA which was recruited in some of the same area geograhically...i.e., counties making up the so-called Hill Country, particularly Winston.

Some members of the 1st, then 12th Cavalry later became members of the later Cavalry organization such as the 5th and 10th. Mr. Graves can explain all this better himself. He filed an affidavit in support of comrade John W. Pope's application for a pension: "State of Alabama, Cullman County: Before me, R.I. Burke, Judge of Probate within and for said State and County, personally appeared B.J. Graves, who being duly sworn, deposes and says that he was a member of Capt. C.L. Wilhite’s Co. 1st. Ala. Cavalry; that he enlisted in said Company at Falkville, Ala., in the year 1862; that he served in said Company from the date of his enlistment until the surrender; that he surrendered at Danville, in Morgan County, Ala., together with the balance of his company in the year 1865; that he knows of his own personal knowledge that John W. Pope was a member serving in Capt. C.L. Wilhite’s Company at the time he, the said B.J. Graves, enlisted and that the said John W. Pope served throughout the war from then on in said Company and Regiment; that I was with the said John W. Pope when he surrendered at Danville, Morgan County, Alabama. (signed) B.J. Graves. Sworn to and subscribed before me, this Sept. 25th, 1914. (signed) R.I. Burke, Judge of Probate."

Here is part of comrade James Henry Oden's pension file, in which B.J. Graves and J.W. Pope provided supplementary affidavits: "State of Alabama, Cullman County: Before me, R.I. Burke, Judge of Probate in and for said State and County, personally appeared B.J. Graves who being duly sworn deposes and says that he was a member of Capt. Wilhite’s Co., 1st Alabama Cavalry, and that Dr. J.H. Oden enlisted in said Company in about 1863 and remained in said Company and regiment for about a year when he was transferred to Capt. E.D. Oden’s Company, same regiment and brigade. (signed) B.J. Graves. Sworn to and subscribed before me this Sept. 25th, 1914. (signed) R.I. Burke, Judge of Probate."

"State of Alabama, Cullman County: John W. Pope being duly sworn, testifies as follows: That he enlisted in Morgan County, Ala., in 1863 in Capt. Donaldson’s Co., Hundley’s Battalion, Roddy’s Brigade; that he served in this Co., and regiment and brigade until after the Murphreesboro fight; that after this fight he with others of his command were paroled for six or eight days, they being near their homes, and their command being in camp in order for their horses to rest; that while he with the other men were at home on furlough their company was ordered somewhere in the State of Georgia, and that he heard that his company having been ordered away, and Wilhite’s Company, being on Shoal Creek, being near his home at Falkville, Ala., he joined same, which was Capt. C.L. Wilhite’s Co., Co. R.O. Pickens regiment, Roddy’s command, Co. B, I believe it was the 5th Ala. Cavalry; That Dr. J.H. Oden was a member of this same company and regiment, but when E.D. Oden’s company was formed, Dr. J.H. Oden was transferred from Capt. Wilhite’s company to E.D. Oden’s company. (signed) John W. Pope. Sworn to and subscribed before me, this Sept. 25th, 1914. (signed) R.I. Burke, Judge of Probate."

Mr. Graves was among a group of comrades who provided affidavits for each other which provide their service. The testimony above might shed some light on the various commanders and companies to which they belonged to and shifted around in throughout the course of the war. I seem to recall Mr. Graves was a local Justice of the Peace in the Bremen community, a station awarded to trustworthy men of the community. While the Pension Bureau could not sort out his service record in 1913, it seems clear through his affidavits on behalf of comrades he served well and honorably in the Confederate Cavalry.

Here is his obit: The Cullman Democrat, 12 Sep 1918
Basil Graves Dead. Basil Graves, one of the most prominent men in the Bremen district, dropped dead in his home early Wednesday morning. He is survived by his wife, four sons and one daughter. The burial took place today in the Doss Creek cemetery.

Hope this helps support the service record of this old Confederate. Just my two cents.