So, when they were members of companies they were enlisted? I would think that would rule out honored guest. That wording suggest more than a servant. If they were subject to command it sort of takes it out of the just old wagon driver or cook catagory. If they were slaves, they were subject to command from their owner but would that make them a member of the company? There seems to be some sticky word play in some of these articles.
Considering the amount of activity with each company and the time spent fighting, marching and other 'busy' things going on it's a wonder there is as much 'official' record on these things as there is. Then we have a few cases of paperwork unearthed a very long time after the fact. The Camp Chase Letters are one example. We have people like Delity Powell who
as a very young woman who, along with her Mother and other family traveled with her fathers company. They may have cooked, washed clothing and other task but they were most known for their nursing the sick and wounded. Would they have been considered "Members of Companies?" Probably not but she got a pension due to the service she provided and it would seem from all of the accounts I have read, she did it well.
It seems to me at first glance that there were Blacks as well as others who perfomed services but also have little to no information of their status. Be it neglect on the keeper of the records, the mere fact that there were many things going on to keep the scribes scribing and some wording may have been omitted or their presense was just ignored doesn't mean they were not used in the capacity of that of a 'soldier'.
If an activity took place, and the 'servants' or Free Blacks took an active roll in assisting their particular company, omission of the race box to check may well have been one way they cooked the books, so to speak. Once the books are sent on to the storage vault, they cannot be changed.
I will admit I do not believe for a minute all Blacks were willing to aid the Confederate cause. I also do not have any real reason or proof to doubt some would indeed act as a soldier more than servant when given the chance. Life is full of little contridictions like that.
Pam