The Confederate widow could NOT file for a pension prior to 1890. There are so many roads to look and it takes a lot of time in some situations. Don't give up! The magazine the "Confederate Veteran" put out by Cunningham if I remember right may have some clues. NOT to worry you don't have to read the entire magazine. LOL They have an index and there you can look for his last name. I think the Washington Library in Macon have the magazines but you may want to call them prior to going there. There are something like 30 some volumes.

For some reason the local papers in Georgia did NOT carry a lot of obiz details in the 1880's and 90's. Chances are he may have belonged to a local church and at times those church records can be an important source. Look at the census report of 1880 for example and find out what Post Office he was close to. Then do some research as to the churches in that area at the time.

Sometimes a veteran would attend his local Confederate Veterans Camp? Check there to see if his name appears or better yet if he may be in a photo with his old unit the 5th Ga.?

If he was a property owner check the court house records. Did he have a brother or cousin or father in the same Company and regiment? Doing their genealogy can sometimes produce results. Was there an disease epedimic in that area after 1883? Check local history for that. Where is his wife's grave or children if he had any? A vacant space next to his wife's grave might give an idea to his gravesite, maybe the family could NOT afford a tombstone at that time? You will find the answers if you look hard and long enough. Good Luck!!!!!!!!