His command surrendered at Appomattox, he surrendered with Confederate forces at Demopolis. Hence, he did not make it back to his command from his clothing expedition.

It's difficult to figure what his detached duty was summer of 1862. Could be as a teamster, guarding prisoners, hospital attendant, courier, etc.

George W. Thomas, 18 year old Student, resident of McKinly, Wilson County, Alabama, enlisted in Company D (Canebrake Rifle Guards) April 25, 1861 at Uniontown, Perry County, Alabama for one year, reenlisted December 11, 1861, Gallant & Meritorious Promoted to 5th Sergt. 1863, recorded on the Jan & Feb, 1865 at Absent, on detached service to bring clothing from Alabama for regiment, surrendered May 1865 and paroled at Demopolis, Alabama June 13, 1865,
,

THOMAS, George W., Sgt. (saved from a wound at Gettysburg by a Bible belonging to Harrison Patton REID and found earlier. The bullet hit the Bible but not the men || CV [Confederate Veteran Magazine] XIX:214; Hudson)
http://history-sites.com/~kjones/4dmstr.html

See also: http://myweb.cableone.net/mpenny1842/law%27salabamabrigade/lawalabrigade/regiments/al4th/index.html

http://history-sites.com/~kjones/CSal-az.html#AL-Inf

http://www.archives.state.al.us/referenc/alamilor/4thinf.html

http://www.civilwarhome.com/4alainf.htm

THE FOURTH ALABAMA INFANTRY.

The Fourth Alabama regiment, commanded by Col. Egbert

I. Jones, was organized at Dalton, Gal, May, 1861, and

immediately proceeded to Virginia. It fought with great

distinction at Manassas, Seven Pines, Cold Harbor, Second

Manassas, Boonesboro, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg,

Chickamauga, The Wilderness, Spottsylvania, battles around

Richmond and Petersburg. When General Lee surrendered

at Appomattox, the regiment numbered but 202 men.

Among the many officers who were killed in these battles

were Col. Egbert I. Jones and Captain Lindsay, both of

whom fell at Manassas; Capt. G. B. Mastin at Seven Pines;

William Lee at Malvern Hill; Lieut. C. C. Ferris at Second

Manassas; Capt. J. Sullivan at Sharpsburg; Colonel

McLemore at Boonesboro; Capt. J. Keith at Fredericksburg;

Capt. W. W. Leftwich at Gettysburg; Major Coleman at

Chickamauga; Captain Kidd at Chickamauga; Capt. Bayless

C. Brown at The Wilderness; Capt. H. Armistead at Gaines'

Mill; Capt. Alfred C. Price at Gaines' Mill, and Capt. A.

Murray at Petersburg.

Source: Confederate Military History, vol. VIII, p. 61