The desertion date is probably wrong by error. It may have been September 10, 1863, or any date after his enlistment date. It may be just a coincidence but this is the date Little Rock fell. Was his unit around Little Rock on the September 10, 1863 date. He may have deserted during the fall of Little Rock. This is just a guess. His signing of an "Oath in 1864" was declaring his allegiance back to the United States and not take up arms against the Union.