Hello.
In regard to the word deserter, that means very little when you are considering the military record keeping of the times.
My own g-grandfather is listed as a deserter because he went home to heal after being shot at Shiloh.
He is also listed as killed at Atlanta in a Tennessee site. I could not get them to take that down because I was not the one who submitted it.
If that red-haired Irishman died at Atlanta, then where did I inherit this pug nose and head full of hair from?
So I know he lived and I know he did not desert.
As my great aunt who had been his daughter-in-law said she knew that man did not desert because of the way he was.
So be sure you take all of that nonsense with a grain of salt.
Good luck in your search as it appears that Bryan has given you some very useful information.
Linda