I had a note from a relative and it said that as far as anyone knows, JOHN M ELDER was killed in 1862 in service. Is it possible that he could have been killed PRIOR to Oct. when military notations show him as AWOL. In other words, he was dead "somewhere" and not reported?
Of course that brings up the question as to HOW relatives think/know he died in 1862. All I have found so far is that his wife remarried in 1964.
Also , I have several results on "search" for JOHN ELDER and cannot tell which might be him, if HIM at all.
All so puzzling !