Thanks a lot indeed for sticking with this and finding the real spelling. It especially makes sense that the information on the whereabouts of the soldiers who left the 42nd would only be second hand, whereas most of the info on CMSR cards are taken from unit ledgers. This Lyell apparently got shipped to Camp Douglass in Chicago after his capture, so he was lucky to have survived. I guess the unit designations changed so fast which is why there are apparently not CMSR cards for McCann's battalion and the next one is Wards 9th. Also thanks for that link. I love that TN Genweb site with its unit histories.

I am glad you asked earlier for a specific soldier in question, as that is what ties together your excellent line of reasoning that "Blackburn" was a misspelling of "Blackman" and Blackman's service history leads to why others might have considered McCann's/Ward's 9th as being in Wheeler's Cavalry. Lyell's service records validates it all since the "Blackburn" notation and his subsequent service in Ward's 9th are both in his file.

Many thanks again.

Mike