When Southern soldiers entered cavalry service, they had to use their own horse and equipment. Rolls of Confederate cavalry commands usually state the appraised value of each member's horse and equipment - halter, bridle, stirrups and saddle. If the horse was lost in the line of duty, a cavalryman made a claim against the Confederate government for the appraised value of his animal and euipment.

If slaves actually entered Confederate service, do you suppose the appraised value of each slave would appear on the rolls? Wouldn't the owner expect to be reimbursed if the slave died of disease or was killed in action?