Gentlemen and Ladies: Are any of you researching the ANV, and, more specifically, the LA units of same?

If so, can you shed any light on the large number of AWOL's of men who later returned to their units in late October-early November, 1861?

This may be just a phenomenon of the 6th LA, but the following men were briefly AWOL in that regiment (specifically the Violett Guards), to wit:

Pvt./Sgt. John Charles -- AWOL from Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 1861
Pvt. Patrick Finnegan -- AWOL from Monday, Oct. 28, to Thursday, Oct. 31, 1861
Pvt. John J. Kingston -- AWOL from Tuesday, Oct. 29 to Sunday, Nov. 3, 1861
Pvt. Michael Kirwin -- AWOL from Tuesday, Oct. 29, to Sunday, Nov. 3, 1861
Pvt. William Little -- AWOL from Monday, Oct. 28, to Saturday, Nov. 2, 1861
Pvt. William Lucas -- AWOL from Monday, Oct. 28, to Saturday, Nov. 2, 1861
Pvt. Christopher O'hay -- AWOL from Monday, Oct. 28, to Thursday, Oct. 31, 1861
Pvt. T.G. Shelby -- AWOL from Monday, Oct. 28, to Friday, Nov. 1, 1861
Pvt. James Torpey -- AWOL from Monday, Oct. 28 to -- ; courtmartialed Dec. 14?

I'm wondering if these mostly Irish boys were simply out on the town for a week or so, or if something else was going on.

Thanks for any leads, insights, or theories! -- Jim Huffman (75% Irish, in spite of the German name, so I'm interested in knowing whether "the lads" were simply "hoisting a pint or two" or something else)