Thank you George, That will be as close as I can get until talking to Frankfort, Kentucky later in the week.

This whole mess started when helping a genealogist and she wanted documentation on everything which is not such a bad thing. Her ancestor died at Camp Chase and was mentioned as a deserter. His name was Elijah D. Cochran of Company C of the 5th Kentucky Mounted Infantry. His widow Amanda filed for and received a widow's pension in 1913. I told her that apparently the State of Kentucky did not feel he had deserted or the widow would not have received a pension.

I thought for sure I would find the requirements for a Confederate pension and or widow's in the "Acts of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1912" But I could not see anything that I wanted to know.

I know different States did different things and I did not know that Kentucky first started issuing widow's pension as late as 1912.

The widow said he was going home on furlough when taken prisoner. He was taken POW on December 3, 1863 at Maynardville, Tennessee which was part of the Knoxville Campaign. From reading the OR's I rather doubt his commanders would have authorized his absence at such a critical time. If further appears he may have been captured by Colonel Felix W. Graham of the 5th Indiana Cavalry but that is speculation on my part.

And your correct George the UDC does still require fairly high standards for becoming a member of their organization. I was told that the UDC won't accept pension records from some states. I've helped the UDC out on some occasions doing research at the NARA. I did not ask for it but was awarded a life time honorable membership to the UDC Chapter 19 in Jacksonville, Florida with a certificate. At least I don't have to pay dues. LOL I can't vote in their elections but it's not bad seeing a group of lovely ladies that are easy on the eyes.