Alan,
Thanks for your response. I am a Civil War Reenactor and portray a Surgeon, so I've been doing allot of research on Civil War Surgeons and such. Some of the information I have been able to come across is understandable. But, yet, there is still some that is confusing and hard to understand. What I am trying to find out is J D Nelson (my 3rd G-Grandfather) was listed as the Surgeon of the 4th GA Inf. And, there was another individual listed as the Surgeon, at the same time my ancestor was. And his name is "William P Young". It has stumped me some, because I knew there was usually only one Surgeon and, after May 25, 1861, 2-Assistant Surgeons were authorized, as per US Army Regulations. All of the paperwork I have on my ancestor, lists him as the Surgeon. But, when I started doing some research on the 4th GA Inf, that is when I found a "William P Young", also listed as the Surgeon. My Grandfather (who is living), remembers that when he was a child and talking with his Grandfather (who is J D Nelson's Son) and stating that J D Nelson was a Captain. But, I've also heard from family in Georgia and South Carolina, that J D Nelson was said to hold the rank of Major and even Lieutenant Colonel. Well, as I've stated before, the "Major", I could see, as this was "usually" what Surgeons were commissioned as. But, there are cases where Surgeons also held the rank of Captain. Now, the Lieutenant Colonel I cannot see, as these ranks were usually for Medical Directors and Inspectors. Now, at the War began, my ancestor was a Blacksmith/Gunsmith and made rifles for the Confederacy. So, I know that he would have knowledge with specialty tools and such, so he would have been a prime candidate for a position as such. So, I can see him coming up through ranks to the position of Assistant Surgeon and eventually Surgeon. But his pension record and his military record lists him as entering the Army as a Surgeon. This is why it's been so confusing. But, please, I do appreciate all of your repsonses and advice/suggestions/etc. that you offer or give.

Jimmy