Frank, that would be the logical conclusion; although I don't know if the Arkansas and Louisiana numbers can be compared directly to those of other states. There were some problems unique to the Trans-Mississippi that may or may not have applied to the Cis-Mississippi states. For example, no Arkansas muster rolls dated later than February 29, 1864, were received by the War Department at Richmond, which leaves an 18-month "black hole" in the Compiled Service Records.

But the biggest problem with the notion that large numbers of blacks served in the combat arms of the Provisional Army of the Confederate States is that there was no authority to enlist them. Only whites were liable for military service, and the only provisions for blacks under Confederate law was employment or impressment to perform non-combat duties. In fact, fairly early in the war a regiment of black troops was raised by the State of Louisiana and offered to the Confederate army, but they were not accepted, and the regiment was disbanded.