Thanks, Alan. Well put. I have been suspicious of this story for awhile now and even though my family legend has all four brothers serving in the war, I now believe that to be only three of them. I agree with you on the need to view these stories with a cautious eye. You had previously helped me figure out another family legend story that may have had some semblance of truth to it, but was not exactly as told -- I was able to correct that version too.

Since i no longer believe this youngest brother served, but since he would have turned eighteen prior to the end of the war (born 1846 so he turned 18 in 1864) and since his three older brothers all served, why would he have not enlisted or been subject to the draft at that time? I am not sure it makes sense that he would have looked for a substitute given family history of service. Would it be possible he had an exemption since three brothers were serving and he was last son at home? Was there an exemption for that kind of thing? I would have thought draft of anyone who could walk would have been the order of the day by 1864. Any thoughts? Thanks