Dale:
I completely agree with you. The "500" number doesn't make any sense. In "The Confederate War," UVA prof. Gary Gallagher wrote that 75 to 85% of the available white draft age population in the South was mobilized. Most of the remaining men were involved essential agricultural or industrial work, or were exempt because of physical disabilites. I know from some Gadsden Co. research that some men served only very briefly, having arranged for substitutes, but they were certainly the exception. Based on Alan's census numbers, the total could be close to three times Shofner's estimate.
Dan