Helen --

Capt Boykin never served with the 3rd Alabama Cavalry. He organized the "Mathews Rangers" at Providence AL, Nov 19, 1861. The company went down the Alabama River to Mobile and mustered in Confederate service two days later. He signed for the first set of arms for his men (seventy-five sabres and belts) while at Mobile. He resigned at Halls Mills near Mobile on Feb 26, 1862.

The company then went to Corinth MS and saw action at Shiloh with three other Alabama cavalry companies. By July 1862 the Amy of the Mississippi had retreated to Tupelo. At this time four Alabama companies in the regiment led by Col Wirt Adams joined the Alabama battalion that served at Shiloh. Along with two independent companies, they formed the 3rd Alabama Cavalry.

Meanwhile it appears that Capt Boykin provided supplies for the Confederate army and requested another commission from the government. General Dabney H Maury at Mobile refused to endorse his application in November 1863. Boykin did serve as volunteer aide de camp for General Cantey at Pollard AL. He signed at parole at the end of the war as a staff captain. I find no evience that he ever served in the Confederate army aftr February 1862.