I see what you mean. I am interested in this "oath of allegiance." Can you tell me when this was sworn, and why that makes a man a "deserter."? If it was sworn at Vicksburg after his incarceration at Fort Douglas, I expect most anyone would have sworn to anything at that point.
I would also like to know where I might read more about persons who were imprisoned separately for desertion....the part about his being taken on the Ohio River into Indiana. I don't live in a town that has a huge library, but maybe you could refer me to an internet site?