While researching my G.Grandfather, Taylor Summers Moorer, I learned he was "awol" a couple of times when the roll was taken. I first thought, "Oh, man, he was a deserter". But, I learned that it was common for these men to be allowed to go home for family obligations and, oftentimes, did not return on the specified date for roll call. Transportation was sketchy, especially in war time. Also, sometimes a troop might get separated from his unit and join up with another for a time. Near as I can tell, my ancestor left his first unit and, after a time, re-enlisted into a whole other unit. Enlistments and units were very fluid in those days. It must have been very frustrating to try to lead these forces.