Scott --

Not always.

Read the statement signed by the witness. If the witness claims to know the veteran and mentions service with him, then the witness should be a Confederate veteran.

No guarantees otherwise.

If you are reviewing a widow's pension application, witnesses often affirm only that they know the woman making the application and believe her to be creditable. Witnesses for a veteran's application are needed when military service cannot be verfied. This is one reason Confederate service records were compiled, so that War Department clerks could validate claims of service for state pension applications.