It looks like John and Booth followed the same path and hooked up with McNeill's Louisiana cavalry late in 1863, remaining thereafter.

B. M. Watson, Private, Company K, 9th Arkansas Infantry, enlisted November 27, 1861 at Camp Beauegard for 10 months, advanced to Corporal January 1, 1863, recorded September 1, 1863 as 4th Sergeant, recorded as absent, sick at home, sent to Hospital September 31, 1863 remaining so through the end of year, January 1, 1864, no further records

M317: Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Arkansas

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Confederate Pension Records
Surname: Watson
Given Name: B. Malone
Application Number: 14400
Widow Surname: Watson
Widow Given Name: Emma
Company: K
Regiment: 9
State Served From: Arkansas
Division: Infantry
Pension County: Ashley
Death Date: 7/14/1888
Application Year:
Widow Death Date:
Comments: widow applied 1905

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Arkansas, Confederate Pension Records, 1891-1935 about Emma Watson
Name: Emma Watson
Spouse Name: B. Malone Watson
Residence Location: Ashley, Arkansas
Division: Infantry
Company: K
Regiment: Ashley
Spouse Death Date: 14 Jul 1888
Comments: widow applied 1905

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Name: Booth Malone Watson
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date (Formatted): 27 Dec 1866
Event Place: , Ashley, Arkansas, United States
Age:
Birth Year (Estimated):
Residence Place:
Spouse's Name: Margaret Jane Maxwell

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Name: Boothe Malone Watson
Birth Date: 1843
Birthplace:
Age: 31
Spouse's Name: Mary Emma Frost
Spouse's Birth Date: 1849
Spouse's Birthplace:
Spouse's Age: 25
Event Date: 12 Feb 1874
Event Place: Ashley,Arkansas