Ron,
Merida was 36 years old and may have seen joining the 2nd as a way to avoid conscription. A number of kin that I have identified in the 2nd Mississippi were middle aged men. Those that I know left the 2nd and joined the 7th were:
1. Merida’s nephew William J. Fortenberry. William J. joined his brother Merida A. Fortenberry in Co. F. of the 7th Mississippi Regiment. Both were from Marion County.
2. Merida’s brother-in-law J.B. Fountain. J.B. left Co. A of the 2nd State Troops and joined Co. G of the 7th Mississippi.
3. I think that the J.C. Fortenberry listed in Company A Mississippi State Troops is Merida’s brother Jesse C. Fortenberry. J.C. appears in Co. G of the 7th Mississippi, but also in Co. C 21st Mississippi. - I’ll have to work that out.
4. David N. Langston my G.G. Grandmother’s brother was also in the 2nd Co A, and joined the 7th Co. G.