The website on the 27th Louisiana shows his service record ending in 12/1862 so that is no help. I couldn't find a pension application for him or his spouse in either Texas or Louisiana. Have you tried posting this to our Arkansas in the Civil War message Board? If not I suggest you do. Here is the address...
http://history-sites.com/mb/cw/arcwmb/
There is a James Ball shown in the 5th Louisiana Cavalry. There may be a possibility this is the same man. When Terry Scriber, our resident expert on the 27th Louisiana sees this, maybe he can help you solve this riddle.