I can not be certain why he used the surname Bethea at the time of his enlistment, it is a possibility that it was the last slave owner. As I said in the original post the Pension Records are cross referenced with the Service Record but not vice versa. The fact that yours had showed 2 names with one as an alias, means there is probably additional information.

Pension officials like all bureaucrat (then as now), want specific information: Names -dates of birth when processing claims. In many instances black folk could not provide specific information on exactly when they were born; where born or changed their names after Emancipation to reflect their parentage, names of original owners etc..the reasons could be and were many.

But before the pension could be granted the Bureau wanted information that the person requesting the Pension was the same person as the one who Served. This meant the claimant had to provide information or have others provide information (depositions) to verify their claim.

It was not only the soldier that applied but widows, claims for minor children...etc

The pension filem may be able to provide you with further information.

Good Luck

Selma