Bryan, Most persons do not realize that the "reconstruction" of the Confederate Military records are still going on today with the discovery of new sources combined with original records. And that a single person or group of persons cannot read or research every piece of information that has been written about that war.

We all do the best we can to reconstruct what we can. Your efforts to reconstruct the Muster Rolls of the Arkansas Confederate soldiers has been a monumental effort for which we all are greatfull. Keep up the good work.

I like you have studied and tried to reconstruct some of the rolls of several units that were at Pine Bluff including the 33rd Arkansas ( a fact that most people don't seem to know). That the 33rd originally had 11 companys, the "extra" company was transferred to Crawfords Battalion in August '62 and became basically Co "B" of that unit. And where I have found names with proper documentations you have included them in your rolls.

I am convinced that We may never know who all served in the Confederate Army. The fact is we are learning new things every day.

Another thing is the number of records of persons who served in a support role, such as body servants, cooks, hospital attendants, or who shelled corn, and many other occupations, are very few at best. But, was their service any less than those who carried a musket?

The recent research of the Last 5 years has been so fluid that it causes us all to have to rethink some of the ideals we have had in the past. It is not surprising that we find a new name to add to a muster roll almost daily. Most from people who want to know what grandpa did during the war. We the researchers are learning just as much as those who ask the questions.