Here’s my take on these records.
In the roster of the 17th Alabama, we find two men with the name John Black, John & John W.
I believe these two individuals presented to be the same, John Black Senior. I have tabulated the cards in these two files below.
The three cards in John Black’s file envelope I believe to be those for John the Senior.
However, of the 16 cards in the John W. Black (46) envelope, Senior, only the last two, #s 15 & 16 are those for John [nmi] the Senior.
I do not believe this to be the fault of Footnote/Fold3 who have faithfully copied the National Archives source documents found in the individuals file envelopes.
The NA folks had previously microfilmed the Confederate service records back in the 1970s and libraries throughout the country have selected copies. I purchased the 5 rolls for my grandfather’s 43rd Tennessee 15 years ago.
The Federal records were never fully microfilmed.
I wonder if anyone has talked to the Fold3 folks as to recording errors and getting that information back to the National Archives and how to document.
As to both men on sick furlough at the same time. My best guess is that Junior was granted the same furlough as his sick old man to accompany him back home.
John Black [These records for for Senior]
Card
#1 Index Card - Black, John, Private/Private, Co. H, 17 Alabama
Infantry
#2 John Black, Private, Co. H, 17 Regt Alabama Infantry
Jany., 1862 Regimental Return - Absent 20 sick furlough
#3 John Black, Private, Co. H, 17 Ala
Discharged May 26, 1862, Paid May 27
………..
John W.* Black (46) [Only two cards are for 46 year old Senior]
[* The 1850 census records Senior as John Black, no middle initial]
Card
#1 Index Card - Black, J. W., Corporal/Corporal, Co. H,
17 Alabama Infantry
#2 John W. Black, Sergt., Co. H. 17th Reg. Ala. Inf.
Captured at Franklin, Tenn. Dec. 17, 1864
#3 John W. Black, Sergt., Co. H. 17th Reg. Ala. Inf.
Captured at Franklin, Tenn. Dec. 17, 1864
$4 John W. Black, Sergt., Co. H. 17th Reg. Ala. Inf.
Captured at Franklin, Tenn. Dec. 17, 1864
#5 J. W. Black, Corpl, Co. H,17th Regiment Ala. Inf.
Jany., 1862 Regimental Return - Absent 20 day sick furlough
#6 Jno. W. Black, Sgt., Co H, 17 Ala. Inf.
Captured at Franklin, Tenn. Dec. 17, 1864
#7 John W. Black, Sgt. Co. H 17 Regt Ala Inf
Captured at Franklin, Tenn. Dec. 17, 1864
#8 Jno W. Black, Sgt. Co.H, 19 Regt Ala Inf
Captured at Franklin, Tenn. Dec. 17, 1864
#9 Jno W. Black, Sgt Co. H 17 Regt Ala Inf
Died Mch 20, 1865, Pneumonia
#10 J. W. Black, 3rd Corp, Co.H, 17 Regt Ala Inf.
Present Sept/Oct, 1862 muster, enlisted Oct. 25, 1861,
last paid Aug. 31, 1862
#11 J. W. Black, 3rd Corp, Co.H, 17 Regt Ala Inf.
Present July/August, 1862 muster, enlisted Oct. 25, 1862 [error], last paid Feb 22, 1862
#12 J. W. Black, 3rd Corp, Co.H, 17 Regt Ala Inf.
Present Nov/Dec, 1862 muster, enlisted Oct. 25, 1861
#13 John W. Black, Sergt, Co. H 1th Regt Ala
Medical Index Card
#14 John W. Black, Sergt., Co. H, 17 Regt Ala.
Admitted Nashville Hosp. from Franklin, Tenn, age 21
#15 John Black, ‘H’, 17 Ala., Final Statement, May 26, 1862
#16 John Black, Private 17th Regt. Ala. Vols., age 46, born in
North Carolina, enlisted 21 October, 1861, discharged for
disability, Corinth, Miss. May 26, 1862