Thanks for your reply. Why MRB decided to submit his pension application as he did is something that only he can answer for sure. I wondered why he didn't submit it with the early service reference only. It probably would have been accepted.

Some veterans who took the oath of allegiance during the war later claimed they were captured instead of deserting. This is understandable. We identified another case like this just last week on the Georgia message board.

Here's the ADAH reference to all commands, which includes the 54th Alabama Regiment. Notice the historian's reference to losses at the battle of Resaca, at which time it served in Alpheus Baker's Brigade.
http://www.archives.alabama.gov/referenc/alamilor/mil_org.html

During the fighting at Resaca, the 37th Mississippi was assigned to Cantey's Brigade.

What other details or facts are available in the pension application?