Gardner --

This record appears in M347, Unfiled Papers and Slips Belonging in Confederate Compiled Service Records. This is the "dead letter file" for the War Department clerks. Anything a clerk didn't know how to handle was left here. The clerk who picked up this document didn't recognize 'Gen. Martin's Escort' (those records are filed with M258). We can copy this record (see below) --

This was Brig. Gen. Will Martin's personal escort. Most members appear to have boys from west central Alabama and east Mississippi. The only records I've seen yet are paroles like this one, so this evidently was a company assembled late in the war. After leaving Wheeler's Cavalry, I'm not aware that General Martin ever had another command.

The Hodo service file you mentioned shows him to have been a good officer. For copies, click here. --