I do appreciate the suggestions. They are good one. Minton is not a rare name, but neither is it real common. I can imagine
how difficult it must be for people with names like Smith, Jones, etc. What with the large families, use of nicknames or initials, and mis-spellings, it really is difficult to ascertain if you have the right guy. A.J. had several other brothers, who I am also looking at.
One brother might even have been a union soldier, who subsequently deserted. I have found another brother, John Minton, Jr, who might be the same as a John Minton, who was captured and later died at Ft Delaware, while a POW. The problem is, the deceased POW also entered the Confederate army at a different location than the one A.J. and his brothers lived in.
Thanks much,
Ken M.