My wife has some ancestors who appear to have grouped together, just as you describe. William A. Rogers was a captain in the 4th Mississippi Cavalry. His younger brothers, Peter A. and Charles M. A. Rogers were member of the 5th Alabama Battalion (Van de Graaff) and the 42nd Alabama Infantry, respectively. Peter was wounded at 2nd Manassas and returned home on furlough. He never went back to Virginia and transferred, legally, to the 4th Mississippi Cavalry. Charles was "plucked" out of the 42nd Alabama Infantry just prior to the battle of Corinth, MS. In fact, I've tried to figure out if he transferred just before or after Corinth, since his CMSR states he was taken prisoner about the time of Corinth, held for a short time at Bolivar, TN and paroled.

The two younger brothers spent the balance of the war under the protective wing of their brother William and survived the experience. Knowing the war record of both of the infantry units these men came from, it is unlikely one or both would have made it to the war's end. The 4th Mississippi Cavalry has a lengthy and proud record, but not nearly as bloody as the aforementioned infantry units.

Jim