My two cents worth: My own ancestor, James Thomas Harper, of the 5th Tenn. is listed as deserted. He never deserted,
and the guy who was keeping the records just had no idea where he was. He was wounded at Shiloh, we know, and
he was wounded somewhere around Atlanta.
Harper is also listed in a Tennessee county web site as having been killed at Atlanta. He did not die, he survived.
I have his pug nose, his stawberry birthmark between the eyes, and have always had his bushy head of hair.
Jim Harper was not the kind to break and run. His daughter-in-law who was still alive back in the late 70's,and said
no way did that man desert.
Harper has a government marker and drew a small pension. He also attended old soldier reunions.
So my advice is do not sweat the small stuff.
Linda T. Acrey
great grandchild of James Thomas Harper,
5th Tennessee