CSA - Jesse and J M Brewer

Deciphering the files of J M Brewer and Jesse Brewer has been a challenge.  JM, JW, JA and Jesse Brewer all have some of their Civil War cards filed together, and all served at least part of their time in Company A of the 1st Alabama Infantry.  Are all of these cards for the same man?  I cannot say with complete certainty, but I am inclined to think that they are.  

Jesse Brewer, aka JM Brewer, a resident of Alabama, first enlisted with the 11th Arkansas Infantry for 1 year, and then transferred to the 1st Alabama Infantry to be near his friends and family.  He was captured at Island 10 and again at Port Hudson.

1861

JM - Jun 7 (incorrect date?) Enlisted in Memphis, Tennessee by Sgt Salvage for 3 yrs

Jesse - Nov 25 Enlisted in Arkansas by Sgt Salvage for 1 yr

JM - Nov 25 Enlisted in Memphis, Tennessee by H F Hill for 1 yr

1862

JM - Apr 8 Captured at Island 10, as was his future company (Company A 1st Alabama Infantry)

      - Apr 1862 CSA Conscription Act caused reorganizations to be necessary.  Soldiers who originally enlisted for 12 months had to re-muster and re-enlist for 3 years or the duration of the war.

JM - July 31 Paid by Major Jones (his captain would have held his pay until his release)

JM - Sep 23 Sent from Camp Butler (Springfield, Illinois POW camp) to Vicksburg, Mississippi to be exchanged (one of two designated places for exchanges to take place, as of July 8th agreement).  The regiment had to then reorganize to comply with the Conscription Act, since the original 1 yr enlistments were expiring.

JM - Nov 10 Exchanged at Adkins' Landing, Louisiana (new New Orleans)

JM - Nov 24 Applied at Port Hudson, Louisiana for a transfer from Co D 11th Arkansas to new Co A 1st Alabama (under Capt James D Meadows) to be with friends/family.  He stated that his residence was in Alabama.

JM - Dec 31 Present with 11th/17th Arkansas Consolidated Sep 27-Dec 31 (Roll for Sep 27-Dec 31 says he enlisted Nov 25/61 in Memphis by HF Hill).  It took some time, forwarding the application to various parties, before he was actually transferred.

1863

JM - Feb 28 Paid by Capt Fellows (new Company A 1st Alabama)

JM - Apr 30 Present with new Co A 1st Alabama (Roll for Jan 1 - Apr 30 says enlisted Jun 7/63 in Memphis by Sgt Salvage for 3 yrs).

Jesse - Apr 30 Paid by Capt Fellows while in new Co A 1st Alabama 

JM - Jul 9 Captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana while in new Co A 1st Alabama

JM - Jul 12/13 Paroled at Port Hudson while in new Co A 1st Alabama.  The 1862 prisoner exchange agreement stated that any prisoners not exchanged within 10 days had to be paroled (released on condition that they would not again take up arms against the Union)

JM - Jul 31 Sent by steamer to the Brig. General

Jesse - Oct 31 Paid by Capt Decker while in new Co A 1st Alabama

Jesse - Nov 3 Present in new Co A 1st Alabama (Roll for Apr 30 - Nov 3 says he enlisted Nov 25/61 in Arkansas by Sgt Salvage).  He obviously had again taken up arms against the Union even though he'd been forced to agree not to. 

JM - Nov 9 Paid for Jan 1-Feb 28 $22 while in new Co A 1st Alabama

Jesse - Dec 31 Present with new Co A 1st Alabama (Nov 30 - Dec 31 roll says he enlisted Nov 25/61 in Arkansas by Sgt Salvage, re-enlisted 2 yrs).  

1864

Jesse - Apr Present on roll of new Co A 1st Alabama, stationed at Fort Powell under Capt James D Meadows