NPS CWS&SS shows 17 Francis M. Bates.

From Alabama:
Francis M. Bates
Regiment Name 5th Batt'n. Hilliard's Legion, Alabama Cavalry
Side Confederate
Company A
Soldier's Rank_In Private
Soldier's Rank_Out Private
Film Number M374 roll 3

Hilliard's Legion, organized at Montgomery, Alabama, in June, 1862, contained almost 3,000 men. It was composed of five battalions, but one mounted battalion soon became part of the 10th Confederate Cavalry Regiment. Its artillery arm was detached and redesignated the Barbour Light Artillery. The legion was assigned to General Gracie's Brigade, served at Cumberland Gap, then fought at Chickamauga where it lost forty-five percent of the 902 engaged. In November, 1863, it was dissolved. Parts of the 1st and 3rd Battalions formed the 60th Alabama Regiment, and the 2nd and 4th Battalions became the 59th Alabama Regiment. Three companies of the 1st Battalion formed the 23rd Alabama Battalion Sharpshooters. Its colonels were Henry W. Hillard and Jack Thorington. The 1st Battalion was commanded by Lieutenant Colonels John H. Holt and Jack Thorington, and Major Daniel S. Troy; the 2nd Battalion by Lieutenant Colonel Bolling Hall, Jr. and Major William T. Stubblefield; the 3rd Battalion by Lieutenant Colonel John W.A. Sanford and Major Hatch Cook; and the 4th Battalion by Majors John D. McLennen and William N. Reeves.

There are an additional 7 Francis Bates:
34th Infantry Regiment, organized at Loachapoka, Alabama, in April, 1862, contained men from Montgomery and the counties of Tallapoosa, Coosa, and Russell. It moved to Tupelo, Mississippi, and was assigned to General Manigault's Brigade where it remained for the duration of the war. The unit saw little action during the Kentucky Campaign then took an active part in many conflicts of the Army of Tennessee from Murfreesboro to Atlanta. Later it fought in Hood's winter operations in Tennessee and at Bentonville, North Carolina. The regiment reported 11 killed and 77 wounded at Murfreesboro, had many captured at Missionary Ridge, and in December, 1863, totalled 388 men and 281 arms. It lost 14 killed and 46 wounded at Ezra Church and was almost annihilated at Nashville. Few surrendered on April 26, 1865. The field officers were Colonel Julius C.B. Mitchell, Lieutenant Colonels John C. Carter and James W. Echols, and Majors Henry R. McCoy and John N. Slaughter.

JR