The position of Hospital Steward is one of the highest enlisted ranks equivalent to that of a Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer, etc. Usually men who were Medical Students or in the Pharmacy trade. Difficult to understand why he was appointed so late in the war. Perhaps he had spent much of his service time working for the Medical personnel gaining experience.

Benjamin G. Neal, Private, Company I, 42nd Regiment Georgia Infantry, enlisted March 10, 1862 at Atlanta, George by Capt. John. H. Barrett for 3 years or during the war, detached April 20, 1862 to guard prisoners from Knoxville, Tenn. to Madison, Ga., sent to hospital at Atlanta, Ga. September 24, 1863 remaining absent through February 20, 1864, appointed Hospital Steward September 9, 1864, paroled at Greensboro, N. C. May 1, 1865

M266: Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Georgia