Robert N. Collins enlisted on April 25, 1862, at Fayetteville, in Company I, 43rd Alabama Infantry Regiment. A company muster roll for May and June 1862, shows him absent sick, left in Tuscaloosa, June 5. A regimental return for Dec. 1862, shows him absent without leave since Aug. 26. He is shown on receipt rolls for clothing dated May 26, 1864, the third quarter of 1864, and Dec. 31, 1864. A company muster roll for Jan. & Feb. 1865, shows him as "deserted to the enemy Feb. 22, 1865, in front of Petersburg." Under the name Newton Collins, he is shown on Union POW records as a deserter from the enemy, sent to the provost marshal at City Point on Feb. 23, and then to Col. T. Ingraham at Washington, DC on the 24th. As R. Collins he is shown on the same day as having "taken the oath, furnished transportation to Cincinnati, Ohio." (Note: at this time many Confederate deserters, after taking the oath of allegiance, were allowed to go free with the promise to remain north of the Ohio River for the duration.)