Could someone tell me why so many men had an alias in the Civil War? I just did a search for the surname HENRY in U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934 on ancestry. One example was a Peter BONHAM, (known as Nathan HENRY). Widow was listed as Martha BONHAM, then this was scratched out and her name was listed as Martha HENRY.

Thanks,
Judy