Lee - I can suggest a couple of possibilities. First, he may have had some physical disability that prevented him from serving. A certificate from a physician in his personal records might be the only evidence of this. Another possibility may be that he was serving in an elected county office that exempted him under state law. This might be in county records. A final possibility is that he was hired as an overseer of some planter's slaves. Under the conscription act of Apr. 16, 1863, overseers were exempt. Others may be familiar with other legitimate exemptions that may have explained the lack of service.