Men having families might come home for extended periods of time, especially when their command camped not far from home. Of course Elijah Reeves fits in this category. Being listed as a deserter may explain why he appears with a different command when the war ended.

Graves of both father and son are found in Reeves Cemetery:

John Reeves --

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Reeves&GSiman=1&GSsr=41&GScid=62270&GRid=15787229&

Elijah J Reeves --

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Reeves&GSiman=1&GSsr=1&GScid=62270&GRid=9293668&