I also have a letter written in early 1864 by my gggf who was an officer in this regiment, requesting authority to raise a battalion of 'mounted' men consisting of the old/young not already in the army, those who might fall under the conscript laws, etc. and to serve under NBForrest.

Alas, his request went up the chain of command but was ultimately denied. If memory serves, he wrote this letter while in winter quarters 5 milesw north of Dalton, GA.

PS...thanks for your observation. And, yes, I knew the 8th MS had been assigned in north Alabama to hunt down deserters and bushwhackers.