Rev. A. C. Vandiver has an interesting service record file. I am hopeful we can find a pension file for him, but understand, if the "desertion" claim was not contradicted, he would not have been eligible to receive a pension.

One thing I find interesting and perhaps others can comment, is he appears to have suffered a non-battle related injury. He was sent home prior to the battle of Fort Donelson due to his arm being "shot off". I can not find a record of any battle fought by the 23rd MS Inf prior to Fort Donelson, so it must have been an accident or, heaven forbid, a malicious act.

I'm also curious about his return to service. Perhaps Alan Pitts or others can comment on whether an amputee was subject to conscription or had to serve out their enlistment. It appears he was elected 1st lieutenant of his company in 1863 as an amputee. He went on furlough in August 1863 and did not return to Confederate service.

I don't know how it was viewed at the time, but I have a problem considering a man who had given a major limb as a "real" deserter. Seems like he could've just said, okay, I've had enough.

Jim Martin