Hello, I wonder if anyone here can help me with deciphering some Civil War records.
I know what it looks like it says to me, but I am not familiar with the Civil War or how things worked then.

I went to the library and copied all the cards reference my ancestor from Microfilm. He is listed as Bluford Mason, B.B. Mason, and in one case L. Mason (don't know why).

He enlisted July 1, 1862 in Dawson Co, GA and was in 38 GA Capt. Thomas Bomar's Co. {Chestatee Artillery}, Georgia Vols.

He was present on the Company Muster Rolls for July & Aug 1862, Sept & Oct 1862, Nov & Dec 1862, Jan & Feb 1863. The next one is dated Aug 31, 186?3?

The next card says
(New) Co. N (Chestatee Light Artillery), 38 Reg't Georgia Infantry (Wright Legion).
Appears on Company Muster Roll....for Jan. 1 to Aug 31, 1864.
Roll dated Sept. 15, 1864, and shows payment from January 1 to April 30, 1864.
Absent
Absent sick since May 22, 1864

The next card reads
(New) Co. N (Chestatee Light Artillery), 38 Reg't Georgia Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll....for April 30 to Aug. 31, 1864.
Absent
Absent with leave on sick furlough since July 7, 1864

Then the next card says
Pvt. Co. B. 38 Regt. Ga. Inf.
Appears on a Roll of rebel deserters by William W. Wright, Lt. Comdg. Military Prison, Chattanooga Tenn., July 30, 1864.
When received July 28, 1864
When deserted May 6, 1864
Where deserted Cold Arbor, Va
Remarks: Entered US lines at Altoona July 26, 64. Oath admit July 28.

Next card:
Pvt 38 Ga Artty
Appears on a roll of Deserters from the Rebel Army
When received Aug 3, 1864
Where reported (illegible) the Dept.
Date when discharged Aug 4, 1864
By whose order discharged Capt. S.E. Jones
Remarks Oath and to remain North of the Ohio River during war
? of the Cumberland to be released North of the Ohio River.
Louisville, Ky

Next card:
Pvt Co B 38 Arty
Name appears as signature to an Oath of Allegiance to the United States subscribed and sworn at Louisville Aug 3, 1864.
Place of residence Cherrykee Co, GA
Complexion Light
hair Light
Eyes Blue
height 5 ft. 8in.
Remark: Sent from the Dept. of Cumberland to be released north of Ohio River

Next card:
Pri. 38 Arty
Appears on a Register of Prisoners of War received at Military Prison, Louisville, KY
Where captured Cherokee Co, GA
Discharged: Terms: Oath
When Aug 1864

Next card:
B. Mason
Capt Thos. M. Bomars Cp
Chestatee Arty
Appears on a receipt roll for clothing
Date of issue May 14, 1864

Next card:
L. Mason
Pvt. Co. G ? 38 Regt. Ga
Appears on a morning report of Jackson Hospital, Rochmond Virginia
for May 24, 1864
Brigade Gordon's
Disease Int Febors ?
Admitted May 24, 1864

Last card:
B.B. Mason
Pvt Co G 38 Regt Ga
Appears on a morning report of Jackson Hospital, Richmond, Virginia
for June 23, 1864
(No diease listed)
Furloughed June 23, 1864
Days 30

Here's what I'm reading;

He is shown on the rolls as having deserted the rebel army on May 6, 1864; however, he is shown on a receipt roll receiving clothing dated May 14, 1864.
The company muster roll from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, 1864 lists him Absent sick since May 22, 1864.
The medical card shows him in the hospital in Richmond Va on May 24, 1864.
Another medical card lists him as being in the hospital in Richmond Va on June 23, 1864, and given a 30 day furlough.
The Company Muster Roll dated April 30 to Aug. 31, 1864 lists him Absent with leave on sick furlough since July 7, 1864.

He is on the Roll of Deserters from the Rebel Army dated Aug 3rd. 1864

He is also on the Register of Prisoners of War Received at Military Prison Louisville, KY. It doesn't say when he was captured, but he was captured at Cherokee County, GA, which was his home residence. Where, I assume, he would be, if given 30 days furlough sick leave.

This is where I run into confusion.
He went home sick, okay, then what, he just didn't go back, therefore was considered deserted?

If so, did the Confederate Army come looking for him, and captured him, and...made him take the Oath of Allegiance to the US and go north to live until after the war?
As little as I know of the Civil War, I never have heard of that happening.

I don't believe he "changed sides", since he wasn't a US soldier after taking the Oath and going north for the remainder of the war.

I believe he was captured by Union soliders while at home on sick furlough in July of 1864.
Am I way off base, over-looking something?

What about the Terms of Release/Discharge? The whole list of them says Oath, except one that says Death, but it also says Shot while trying to escape.
Were southern POWs given a choice; take the oath and stay north, or death, or, whatever ?

Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide into all this for me.