That is a lot to think about. I remember getting a NARA record of an ancestor on my mother's side that reportedly "deserted" and my father warned me not to judge him. Dad was a combat veteran and his words carried a lot of weight. Later, I found the ancestor in an old Confederate Reunion Photograph. I think it would be very improbable that he deserted in Dec. 1862, never to study war again....then joined his comrades at a reunion. It so happens that soldier was also surrendered at Ft. Donelson and spent 7 months at Camp Douglas.

Anyway, that is the lesson for me. I really do not know any of these soldiers, I was never in combat, and no jack booted thugs have knocked down my door forcing me to decide between the Army and home defense.

Joe