Hugh, Thanks for your informative reply. I think you’re statement about, “I probably have created more questions here than I have answered.” Could easily apply to the entire researching Civil War ancestors adventure! My gggrandfather’s actual name is Francis Marion Davis and his tombstone states that he was a Capt. in the 12th MO Cav. Unfortunately, the more I researched my gggrandfather the more this fell apart. (Oddly enough, during my research I think I found the real Capt. Francis Marion Davis and he lived only a few miles North of my gggrandfather.) A real big thanks for the Benton County Historical Society tip. I'm definitely going to get a copy of it. I’m flying into the region next week and I plan on visiting the Battle of Pea Ridge. The idea that my gggrandfather MAY have fought there will give it more meaning.

I searched the CWSS for the two witnesses (G.W. Gailey & J.C. Yeargain) who signed his “Proof of Service” affidavit on the pension application. G.W. Gailey comes up as Warren Gailey a PVT in Company E, 2 Cherokee Mounted Volunteers. I haven’t found anything on J.C. Yeargain. He stated that he was the orderly of Company D, 2nd Cherokee Regiment on the pension application. Both G.W. Gailey & J.C. Yeargain lived in Benton County, Arkansas. Based on census data, I believe my gggrandfather lived in Benton County, Arkansas until he moved to Indian Territory in 1893.

In the CWSS, I did find a Davis listed in the 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles as a PVT in Company D. Film Number M818 roll7. The NARA Microcopy 258, Roll #77 & 78 lists “Davis Pvt Age 20 Delaware Dist” and that the unit Mustered in 25 Oct 1861 and took the Muster roll at Fort Gibson, I.N. 5 Nov 1861.

My gggrandfather’s O.K. CSA pension application states that the command in which he served was Arkansas. Also, that he enlisted 12 July 1862 until disbanded in spring of 1865 with the surrendar of William Penn Adair. 12 July 1862 is the date mentioned for the formal reorganization of Waite’s command “Company A was mustered in 12 May 62 in Maysville, Ark. Companies B to K, plus Acridge’s, Alberty’s, Brewer’s, and Patton’s are all on record as having enlisted 12 July 1862 at Spavinaw Creek, Tahlequah District, Cherokee Nation.” Perhaps he put 12 July 1862 down as the one that he could remember...who knows. His pension application said he was in “Co. D 2nd Cherokee Regiment. My Co. was organized in Benton Co. Ark and attached to 2nd Cherokee Regiment.” Add to that the “never was transferred” statement and he may have served with Watie’s original unit, or he may have served with Drew’s Regiment, 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles and later went to Waite’s with the 12 July 1862 reorganization. Again, your statement about “more questions” comes to mind. ;-)

Thanks again...any further thoughts, suggestions or leads are greatly appreciated!
Mark