You should understand the purpose of Georgia State Guard companies. First, these commands acted under direction of state authorities, not the Confederate government. State Guards are not Confederate soldiers. State Guards were expected to assist local law enforcement and provide security for civilians in their home county or adjacent areas. Primary duties included apprehension of deserters and conscripts who should have been in regular Confederate service.

The State of Georgia could place its militia forces in the field for a period of six months. That's the reason for the brief term of service.

Some members assigned to State Guard companies refused to report. These were either listed on roll as absentees and/or taken off roll as no-shows. According to the roll, the two Carpenters appear to be in this category.

About the time the State Guard units went out of service (February 1864), the State Adjutant General directed a census of all Georgia citizens subject to a militia call. This census has been published and is available on line in Ancestry. Your two men should be listed (with personal descriptions) in that book. The census was taken by county and militia district, so all men registered are reported in their home location.