Good suggestion, Mitchell. I've looked through the MS index for pension applications and I've never found an application for this individual. He died a widower in 1919.

If it turns out he was enlisted in 3 infantry units and 2 cavalry units during the war, and he was a deserter, well, I can understand why he didn't apply for his pension. He probably wore out his horse just trying to pick up his pay each month during the war. :)