James,

Are you certain that your Matthew Patterson served in Company C? I studied the Compiled Military Service Records for the whole 31st Regiment, and I think the entry for Patterson as a private in Company "C" is an error in Booth's Index. The CMSR show that Matthew Patterson enlisted in Company "G" on 6 May 1862 at Monroe. This is the date and place at which all other original members of Company G enlisted. On the other hand, virtually all of the soldiers in Company C enlisted at Delhi in April 1862.

The CMSR show Patterson in Company G, present on the 28 Feb 1863 muster roll, captured/paroled at Vicksburg, reported in camp at Vienna for exchange prior to 1 Apr 1864, then paroled 12 June 1865, resident of Union Parish. He was a private in Feb 1863, a Corporal at his capture on 4 July 1863, a sergeant by Apr 1864, and 4th sergeant in June 1865. He told his enlistment officer that he was born in Butler County, age 31, a farmer, hazel eyes, black hair, dark complexion, and stood 5'10" tall.

Finally, Patterson's widow applied for a Confederate Pension as a resident of Lincoln Parish, and she stated that he served in Company G.

As I understand it, Booth compiled his index from the National Archives records. Since they indicate that Patterson only served in Company G, it appears that Booth's typist made a mistake.

If you have more information, please let me know.

Thanks,

Tim