Ma'am,

I caution you on the use of the term "Galvanized Yankee". This term was used in reference to Confederate soldiers (approximately 1,795) in Northern Prison of War Camps (Camp Douglas and Rock Island) that swore allegience to the United States and as part of that agreement enlisted in the United States Army to serve in the American Western Frontier.

The best book to date on the subject is Dee Brown's "The Galvanized Yankees", University of Nebraska Press, 1986.

Records: Look at your ancestor's Compiled Military Serice Record (the stuff you receive from the National Archives) and look at the "card" and it will refer to an original document.

If it was felt that the deserter was trustworthy enough not to return to service with the Confederacy, his home was already under Federal control, or any number of other factors he was allowed to stay south of the Ohio River. It really depended on the local Federal commander. Many were forced to spend the rest of the war north of the Ohio River. I suspect that he either found a job or had family living in the area for him to settled. Also, the area had a substantual population of Unionist.

I hope this helps.

Respectfully,

Gerald D. Hodge, Jr.
War Between the States Historian
Historian: 39th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment
http://39thgavolinfrgt.homestead.com/39thHomepage.html