Lessin was a conscript, that is to say, he did not enlist, but was drafted into service. He was sent, as a conscript, to Vicksburg, where he was made part of the 1st LA Heavy Artillery. (I don't know if this unit was his choice or not.) He was definitely paroled at the fall of Vicksburg, as his parole paper exists and is part of his service record. His service records states that he definitely "deserted at Vicksburg after the fall of the city and went to West Louisiana." You may purchase his complete service record at the link at the top of this page. Your purchase supports this and similar Civil War pages. I hope this info helps! -- Jim Huffman, Picayune, MS