Here's an update on his record, thanks to a heads up from Jim Huffman.
You might be able to obtain some idea of what life was like in his regiment by Cater's book, although they only served alongside for a short period of time. You should be able to borrow a copy through Inter Library Loan (ILL)
The Department of Alabama, Mississippi & Louisiana record L. R. #709, dated June 24, 1863, could possibly be found at the National Archives in Washington, DC, however, I would not know how much we could learn from it. You might query the folks who provide the service noted in the Red enclosed box above as research service costs.
19th Louisiana, "As It Was: Reminiscences of a Soldier of the 3rd Texas Cavalry and the 19th Louisiana Infantry," by John Douglas Cater. Introduction by T. Michael Parish. Photos, this 275 page 1990 reprint costs $ 25.00.
Cater's book is available at the Advance Book Exchange, see:
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=Cater&sts=t&tn=As+It+Was%3A+Reminiscences+of+a+Soldier+of+the+3rd+Texas+Cavalry&x=28&y=14
It should also be available through Inter Library Loan through World Cat, see:
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Private Fincher, Company F (Henry Marshall Guards), 19th Louisiana Regiment, requests to be discharged,**, received pay June 30 for the period April 30 to June 30, 1963, $22.*** replaced by substitute R. A. Earl July 1, 1863
** Department of Alabama, Mississippi & Louisiana record L. R. #709, dated June 24, 1863
*** Rate of pay for Privates was $11.00/month
Note: Muster rolls for Company F are missing for the bi-monthly periods March/April and May/June, 1863, which would indicate that he enlisted and also discharged during this period, as he is not recorded on preceding or subsequent muster rolls
M320: Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Louisiana
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D. J. Cater, age 20, Bugler, Company B, South Kansas Texas Regiment Cavalry, enlisted June 13, 1861 in Rusk County/Dallas, Texas for 12 months, transferred to 19th Louisiana Regiment, Company E, June 27, 1862, no further records
The 3rd Regiment Texas Cavalry was mustered into the service of the Confederate States June 13, and was re-organized in May, 1862. It was also known as the South Kansas Texas Regiment of Mounted Volunteers
M323: Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Texas
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D. J. Cater, Private, (3rd) Company I, 19th Regiment Louisiana Infantry*, enlisted June 13, 1861 at Dallas, Texas by Capt. Harris for 12 months, transferred June 3, 1862 from 3rd Texas Regiment Cavalry (Dismounted), appointed Chief Musician October 31, 1862, transferred to Regimental Band March 1, 1864, among troops surrendered May 4, 1865 at Citronelle, Alabama by LGen. R. Taylor, CSA and paroled at Meridian, Mississippi, May 10, 1865
* This company was successively designated as Captain D.S. Wells' Company, Subsequently (1st) Company F, (2nd) Company E,and (3rd) Company I, 19th Regiment Louisiana Infantry
M320: Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Louisiana
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Douglas John Cater
Residence Rusk County TX; 20 years old.
Enlisted on 5/16/1861 at Henderson, TX as a Private.
On 5/16/1861 he mustered into "B" Co. TX 3rd Cavalry
He was transferred out on 6/29/1862
On 6/29/1862 he transferred into "I" Co. LA 19th Infantry
(date and method of discharge not given)
Promotions:
* Musician 8/15/1862 (As of Co. I 19th LA Infantry)
Other Information:
born 3/27/1841 in Sparta, Connecuh Co., AL
died 11/23/1931 in San Antonio, TX
Buried: Roselawn Cemetery, San Antonio, TX
(Parents: William Green & Beatnah (Greening) Cater.
Married Emily Mary Ragan in 1866)
Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:
- Index to Compiled Confederate Military Service Records
- Confederate Veteran Magazine****
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**** Confederate Veteran, Vol. XL, 1932, p. 227
D. J. Cater.
Another loved veteran obeyed the summons, "Come up higher," when Douglas John Cater passed suddenly at his home in San Antonio,Tex., November 23, 1931, at the age of ninety years. He took an active part in the affairs of Albert Sidney Johnston Camp, No. 144, U. C. V., and is greatly missed.
D. J. Carter was born in Sparta, Connecuh County, Ala., on March 27, 1841, the son of William Green and Beatnah Greening Cater. His parents moved to Texas in 1846, and to De Soto Parish, La., in 1847, where his father was a planter for many years.
He enlisted in the Confederate Army at Henderson, Texas, in May, 1861. He regiment, Greer's 3rd Texas Cavalry, went from Dallas in July 2, 1861 to Missouri to aid General Price. In August, 1862, he transferred to Company I, 19th Louisiana Infantry, to be with his brother, Lieut. Rufus Cater, who later, was killed at Chickamauga.
He took part in the battles of Wilson Creek, Chustenahlah, Pea Ridge, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Nashville, Spanish Fort, and others. He also served in several brass bands, and was brigade band captain of the last band of the Confederacy.
Reconstruction days were not propitious for his chosen profession of musician, and he farmed for a number of years, later being Postmaster at Lovelady, Tex., and for four years Treasure of Houston County. Music, however, was always a great interest in his life.
In 1866, he was married to Miss Emily Mary Reagan, of Rusk County, Tex. She and their three little sons preceded him in death by many years. In 1880, he was married to Miss Belle Barbee, of Lovelady, Tex., who survives him with a daughter and three sons, also four grandchildren.
A man of noble purposes, every loyal to all that was good and true, was D. J. Cater. He was a Mason, and a member of the Baptist Church.