Carolyn, I have all of the Byrum's listed in your message in my line, there a so many listed with the same first name that it would be hard to identify without birthdates. John M. Byrum is probably John Marion Byrum b, 5/21/1838 probably Sebastian Co. probably where Camp Chaffe is now. And the son of John (Jack) Byrum & Catherine Kinder. John has brothers named; James, George C, William W (Billy), that may be the Byrum's named. All born in Sebastian CO. Some of these were listed as deserters. A daughter of John's; Margaret Jane was married to a Gilbert Looman in 1853 in Greenwood, AR. These were all brothers of my GGGrandmother, Elizabeth Byrum. What the reasons for joining the Union were we will probably never know for sure. I did read an article once, That described the living conditions for families left behind, and how the Union had blocked the river and no supplies could be brought in and that the Union promised if they would join the Union, the Union would provide for them. I do not remember where I read the article; on a website. (I was brand new at Genealogy and didn't realize the importance of keeping things then) Have I learned alot!!!!!!!!!! I am sure there are people out there that are much more knowledge than me. I am the daughter of Francis L. Byrum and Annie Clark, both of which were born in Sebastian Co. I was also born in Sebastian Co. alice r.(Byrum) Thacker researching: Byurm,David,Booth & Clark