Alan, thanks for the update. but now I am really confused. I would find it very unlikely that there were 2 Francis M. Wise in the same area. I know that my GGGrandfather lived in Spalding County, but the old home place was very close to Butts County. My GGGrandmother was Martha Kinard, who had a brother also named Francis M. who served and died of wounds received at Ellison's Mill Va. My family records do not show any of Francis M. brothers. In What county did Francis M. Wise live in 1860, did he have brothers?? I can find nothing on Rody in any records other than my family records, as a matter of fact our family records does not even list his middle name or initial. but he was the first son born to Francis and Martha. Francis M. Kinard would have turned 25 in 1860, so I still have this gut feeling that Rody used his uncle's birth date and his dads name and enlisted. In your opinion would it be worth it to get the CMSR for Francis M. Wise??? Let me know, as I am really confused now. thanks again. tom