For some reason, 1862 records of twelve-month regiments stationed at Pensacola seem to be missing. Most end with the roll for Nov.-Dec. 1861.
Based on letters to the Secretary of War, regimental officers were confused by changes introduced by the furlough and bounty act. If effect, the well-intentioned act of Congress had split each of the twelve-month 1861 regiments into two groups, the original volunteers and those who reenlisted for the war. Many of those who had enlisted for twelve months planned to go home at the end of their term. New company officers had to be elected by those who had reenlisted for the war, but first they were entitled to a sixty-day furlough.
How would any officer in the old 9th Mississippi have known what to do with Bridges and any others chosing to reenlist with that regiment?
Using the 1st Alabama Regiment as an example, here's what happened --
Officers and men who did not reenlist remained on duty with their original command until their terms expired. As a general rule, recruits who had enlisted for twelve months after their company organized were discharged with the others.
Many of those who reenlisted joined new commands organized as quickly as the rolls could be completed. At Pensacola and Mobile, these included Felix Robertson's Battery and the 1st Confederate Battalion. State of origin was not considered in forming these new organizations. Men reported to these organizations after their furlough expired.
Quite a number of reenlisted men simply went home on furlough. These joined new companies being organizing for the war. I am not sure how this worked, although there does seem to have been some understanding that officers and men would report in camp at a specific date for new elections and reorganization.
If we're confused by all this, imagine how these soldiers might have thought about it!