I have a relative, Burrell Lasater, who was in the CSA 16th Arkansas Infantry, Company B at times and in the USA 4th Arkansas Cavalry Regiment, Company A at times. Finding that Burrell served in both the Confederate and Union armies presented quite a mystery to me. Further research provided some insight, but also provided conflicting stories as to why, which is why I am still looking.

According to an affidavit filed with the Southern Claim Commission, Burrell stated he was conscripted to the Confederate Army twice, but was always a Union sympathizer. He produced witnesses who also swore that this was true. His claim was for $363 for property taken by the Union Army: 120 bushels of corn, 1200 binds of fodder, 1 beef cow, 1 cavalry horse, 1 saddle and bridle. His claim was denied. The denial states, "This case is somewhat peculiar. In September 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate army for a year. He says he did so to avoid being conscripted, but as the conscript law did not pass until April 1862 the reason given is not true. He served the year in the Confederate army. He then enlisted again, fearing he would be conscripted and served 2 months more--then deserted; stayed at home awhile until September 1863 --when as he says he was again conscripted and sent to Fort Smith, stayed a month, deserted and in about 3 weeks enlisted in Company A of the 4th Arkansas U.S. Volunteer Company of Cavalry and served in it till the close of the war. His service in the Confederate Army in 1861 and 1862 must be regarded as voluntary and we are therefore obliged to disallow the claim." A.O.Aldes, D. Ferriss, Commissioners of Claims

I believe he had relatives, neighbors and friends from CSA 16th Company B who switched sides to USA 4th Company A also. I am new at this, but it surprised me to find so many that seem to have gone from one to the other together(???). I am enclosing a list of the ones I found (most seem to be related if not by blood then by marriage but I guess that is expected due to close proximity of homes). Can you shed any light on this or provide any further information? Thanks.

LASATER, DAVID Pvt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Pekin, AR. Age 30. Present 31Aug1862.
LASATER, FRANCIS M. Jr 2Lt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Shoal Creek, AR. Age 24. Discharged 15 Jan 1862, not reelected at reorganization.
LASATER, WILLIAM L. 1Sgt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Shoal Creek, AR. Age 32. Discharged 5 Jul 1862 for disability.
CHITWOOD, ANDREW Sgt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Shoal Creek, AR. Age 19. Present through 31 Aug 1862
CHITWOOD, ARELUS M. Cpl - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Pekin, AR. Age 17. Present 31 Aug 1862.
CHITWOOD, DRURY L. 1 Lt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Pekin, AR. Age17. Left sick in AR 28 Mar 1862 having 30 days leave.
CHITWOOD, EDMOND P. Cpl - Enl 20 Mar 1862 at Frog Bayou, AR. Sent to home 26 Jun 1862.
ANDERSON, THOMAS Pvt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Pekin, AR. Age 18, born in Hamilton Co, TN. Discharged 6 Feb 1863, age 16.
ARMSTRONG, ALEXANDER H. Pvt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Pekin, AR. Age 20. Wounded 5 Oct 1862 at Corinth, MS.
ARMSTRONG, WILLIAM Sgt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Pekin, AR. Age 24. Teamster 10 Dec 1861. Captured 9 Jul 1863 and paroled 12-13 Jul 1863 at Port Hudson, LA.
BRINEY, WILLIAM Sgt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Shoal Creek, AR. Age 28. Captured 9 Jul 1863 and paroled 12-13 Jul 1863 at Port Hudson, LA.
BROWN, WILLIAM Pvt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Sugar Creek, MO.
CARTER, JAMES Pvt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Shoal Creek, AR. Age 20. Deserted. Left in AR with 3 days leave 25 Mar 1862, Struck from rolls 11 Aug 1862.
DAVIS, FRANCIS M. Pvt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Shoal Creek, AR. Age 26. Captured 9 Jul 1863 and paroled 12-13 Jul 1863 at Port Hudson, LA.
FRIAR, JOSEPH Pvt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Shoal Creek, AR. Age 35. Present 31 Aug 1862.
HIBBS, NEWTON J. Pvt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Pekin, AR. Left sick in AR 17 May 1862.
HIXSON, EPHRIAM Pvt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Shoal Creek, AR. Age 15. Discharged 6 Feb 1863.
HORN, HENRY Cpl - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Shoal Creek, AR. Age 18. Present 31 Aug 1862. Captured 5 Oct 1862 and paroled 13 Oct 1862 at Corinth, MS.
HORN, JOSEPH Pvt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Shoal Creek, AR. Age 31. Present 31 Aug 1862.
HOUSER, SAMUEL A. Pvt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Shoal Creek, AR. Age 21. Discharged 20 Jun 1862 for disabililty.
LOW, JAMES H. Pvt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Pekin, AR. Age 32. Present 31 Aug 1862.
MOORE, JOHN A. Pvt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Pekin, AR. Age 27. Present 31 Aug 1862.
PLUNKETT, JAMES C. Sgt - Enl 4 Oct 1861 at Pekin, AR. Age 23. Captured 9 Jul 1863 and paroled 12-13 Jul 1863 at Port Hudson, LA.