I've wondered how many men took some degree of liberty in climing to be a member of a particular company or regiment, when the musters show they probably weren't. I have also seen tombstone inscriptions where a soldier was listed as "9 AL INF CO F," when they were not in the regiment. I don't know if that is due to a clerical error, a misunderstanding of the actual unit name (say, the 9th Alabama Battalion instead of 9th Alabama Regiment), or some family member deliberately doing that for a pension or for prestige. I'm not being critical of anyone for their motives or actions, I just wonder how we get so much conflicting data.
I have to say, I really appreciate the SCV and any others who have gone out and put new headstones on Confederate soldiers' graves. My ancestor in Limestone County received one of those a few years ago, and he really needed it. Thank you!