Peggy, this is one that has always been confusing. To begin, R.L. Meeks does appear as L.R. Meeks, Company B, 25th AR Infantry (U.S. Nat’l Archives, Civil War Service Records, Box 376, Extraction 16, Record 2831). The only Meeks with an “R” first name in the 1860 Quachita County Census was Ransom Meeks, son of Meritt and Mariah Meeks. Ransom M. Meeks, however, was a Private in Company D, 33rd AR Infantry.

The mystery deepens with the appearance of an L.R. Meeks in the 1870 Quachita County Census, Red Hill TWP. This man was a neighbor to a James L. Meeks, and we know that Ransom had a brother named James L. (Lafayette). We also know that James L. enlisted in Company B, 15th AR Infantry at the same time as R.L. (L.R.?). Now for the real kicker, the L.R. Meeks on the 1870 census had a son named Ransom.

If you could give just a bit more information about your G,G,Grandfather, we might be able to figure this one out. Full name, wife’s name, known children, etc.

Sorry about the length of this response.