Thanks for adding to Lt. Forbes story. The likely reason for his absence in Spring of 1864 is that men who went home on furlough (selected by drawing lots) were late in returning because of delays caused by federal raids on railrods in Mississippi. Many men complained because it reduced their chance to go home. To my knowledge all men from the 7th eventually returned in good standing and when their messmates learned why they were late, they welcomed them back.