Caution. Don't get Vaughn and Vaughan confused. John C. Vaughn and Alfred J. Vaughan, Jr. were both brigade commanders in the Army of Tennessee. I believe you are referring to John C. Vaughn whose infantry became mounted infantry in the fall of 1863.

I have never seen where Gatewood was sanctioned or commissioned by a state or the Confederate government. He did succeed in doing more in assisting in the level of desertion from Confederate forces that were from Walker County (i.e. McClemore's Cove) and when I say that I mean the evil that he brought helped cause Confederate soldiers to desert to protect their families. One source you may want to check is James Alfred Sartain's book, History of Walker County, Volume I (Dalton, Georgia: The A.J. Showalter Company, 1932).

I hope this helps.

Respectfully,

Gerald D. Hodge, Jr.
War Between the States Historian
M.A. Military History - Civil War Concentration
Historian: 39th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment