The soldier you seek, Thomas B. Buchanan, was a member of 2nd Company E, 21st Virginia Cavalry. He enlisted on May 28, 1863. Elected 2nd Lt. on May 4, 1864. AWOL from 10/7/1864 to 12/10/1864. Placed under arrest. Charges filed in 1/1/1865. Resigned on 1/8/1865. In 1910, Thomas and Matilda J. Buchanan were living with their son, John and family in Smyth County.

I encourage you to examine his Compiled Service Record and the pension files of “T.B. Buchanan” and Matilda Buchanan at the Virginia State Library website. Examine all sources and then draw your own conclusions.

To order Buchanan’s Compiled Service Record:
http://history-sites.com/research/index.html

To see the pensions (2) of Thomas and Matilda:
http://ajax.lva.lib.va.us/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b-clas10&local_base=CLAS10

The regimental history of the 21st Virginia Cavalry:
http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/20306439&referer=brief_results