Hello Lonesome Henry and others,
Received the following information from the Web Master of the 11th Michigan Cavalry web site.
Hello Two Flints:
If you notice, he is listed with 2 names in the records. Carey, Joseph A. lists the information. That name contains an -or- which shows the alternate name in the next line. I just didn't include the information twice.
Sorry for the confusion,
Don
To the above was also added by the web master:
Hi Two Flints:
At that time men were loyal to their state and not the US Government. When a man enlisted he was still loyal and under the orders of the state. After enlistment he took an oath to support the US, this was called mustering in. At the end of his service he was mustered out and was then once again owed his allegiance to the state. He was then returned to his state and discharged. Sort of confusing;but, our founding fathers did not want a large standing army under control of a central government as it was in Europe, so every state had its own military, hence regiments were always called by their state, such as the 11th Michigan Cavalry. The federal government had provisions for a small army to repel a foreign invasion and these were known as US soldiers. You can have a 1st Michigan Infantry and also a 1st US Infantry. The CW was fought primarily with state soldiers that had mustered in to US service temporarily. (hard to explain) This all changed during WW 1. Why he went missing could be for any number of reasons, that are usually listed; but, in many cases are not.
Happy Holidays to you and your family also,
Don