R.D.,
Thanks for replying. I am researching Anderson/Border's Regt. Tex. Cav. and I have found a widows pension for the wife of a 1Lt. He had prior service in Texas State Troops as a Pvt. so she may have used the system also. I have ordered her application so may get some infomation from it.
I have found several Pvts.,Corpls. and Sgts. who where physicians. I think it had to with how much experince they had, they were suppose to meet a medical board before being assigned as a surgeon or assit. surgeon. In fact Assit. Surgeon Melvin E. Williams of Anderson's Regt. was a Corpl./Sgt. in Co. G 27th La. Inf. detailed as a Physician/Assit. Surgeon at the hospital, Clinton, Ms. he was captured during Vicksburg, and upon his exchange, Gen. E. Kirby Smith appointed him Assit. Surgeon Anderson's Regt.
Thanks,
MikeT