Jamie --

Another perspective on the question of promotion concerns vacancy. Under ordinary circumstances, a regimental or company officer couldn't be promoted unless a vacancy existed. Many times we hear of lieutenants who supposedly were promoted to captain before the war ended when the captain was still being carried on roll.

As mentioned, numerous promotions were made in the Army of Tennessee during the reorganization of mid-April 1865. Several weeks earlier Forrest reorganized his two cavalry divisions along these lines. All this was accomplished under provisions of the last military law passed by Congress. In each case the officer with his new rank should be stated on his parole. Howeve, you would expect to find the great majority of them listed under the new or consolidated regimental/company designation.