Michael,

It would likely have happened as I described according to the regulation as I previously mentioned. The question is whether the records survived over the years. In all likelihood, if they did it would be an extract in the Compiled Military Service Records. Records rarely, but sometimes do exist out in someone's collection (like ARushing mentioned he was in possession of) or in some institution out there.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Respectfully,

Gerald D. Hodge, Jr.
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)
M.A. Military History - Civil War Concentration
Research - Preservation
Historian: 39th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment
http://39thgavolinfrgt.homestead.com/39thHomepage.html
Athens, Tennessee