I am still wondering about this guy! There is no mention of a Maj. Robert M. Balch in the regimental history of the 3rd Ala. Cav.,Co. C as is sugested on his Alabama grave marker, nor is there anyone of that name for that unit in the Soldiers & Sailors system.He did however, enlist as a private in Co.C, 3rd Tenn. Cav. & promoted to Maj. in April of 1862 & later listed as Lt.Col. of 18th Bn.,Tenn. Cav. His Alabama headstone looks like a UDC marker, so perhaps I will contact them for their records on this. I am not familiar on the circumstances regarding his supposed "desertion"....could this be a mis-interpetation of his taking the oath of allegiance (which was customary for parolled POWs?) Also the dates are off by a couple years on his CSR...& more so on his grave stone. He is also listed as an ancestor of a MOSB member. I sincerely doubt that would be overlooked by MOSB HQ...but it is possible. Could this be the reason of the "wrong" unit & dates on his head stone? In any event, I doubt the year of his death would be wrong on the stone. Possibly the unit #, & date of birth, but they would know when he died. I have also yet to find any other grave marker with his name in Ala.,Ark., or Tenn. I really appreciate your looking into this, and can`t wait to see what becomes of all this!
Bob Farmer