Where did you obtain the information that he was at Blair's Landing, April 12?

His records show he requested a 30 day leave of absence to return home, some 175 miles distant. The last endorsement recommending approval was dated Feb. 28, 1864.

Assuming he returned promptly, he would have arrived at Camp Sydney Johnson, Texas about April 1. Not much time before the battle of Blair's Landing.

I suspect that the notation on May 22, 1865, that he had deserted, may well be inaccurate and would indicate that he may have been missing, perhaps after Blair's Landing, had died, perhaps captured during the period April 1, 1864 to May, 1865. There are no company muster rolls surviving covering this period, which would have recorded his status.

......

William A. Taylor, age 36, Private, Company G, Woods' Regiment Texas Cavalry,* enrolled April 20, 1862 at Clinton by Josiah Taylor, mustered into service April 24, 1862 at San Antonio by J. R. Kelso, requested 30 days leave of absence to visit sick family 175 miles distant from Camp Sydney Johnson, Tex., February 27, 1864, recommended approved on four endorsements, listed on the Jan/Feb, 1864 muster roll** as Corporal, presence not stated, recorded on the March, 1865 Regimental Return*** May 22, 1865, as deserted, no further records

* The 36th (also called the 32nd and Woods') Regiment Texas Cavalry was organized June 1, 1862 with ten companies

** There are no later Muster Rolls for his Company in the records

*** Located in Camp near Pittsville, Tex.

M323: Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Texas