Thanks, Frank. Interesting questions. I've only located him on the 1860 census in Dallas County, living with brother-in-law, John Baldwin. John is listed as a farmer and Moses is a farm laborer. He seems to have been new to the area and there are no other Branum's living in Dallas Co. By October 1860, Moses had purchased 120 acres not far from John Baldwin. I am assuming that he then began to farm his own land. I did note in some of Moses' enlistment papers that he seemed to sign his own name (no X for his mark), but I know nothing of his education. His enlistment papers say he was born in Madison Co., AL. There are many Branums there but I've not been able to pin down the right family.

He was only the commissary sgt. in the 4th Ark. Cav. for a couple of months. When he was transferred to the 2nd Missouri Light Artillery, he was a private again.

I'd like to find out what General Order No. 112 of the Arkansas War Dept. was. That is the reason he was transferred, but I cannot find it. There were a series of orders coming at that time transferring men who were unfit for active duty into Veteran Reserve regiments, but I don't think the 2nd light artillery was a Veteran's Reserve.