Gerald,
Your comment about Kingston GA totally caught my attention because I have a soldier with a story like the one you describe. His name was Elisha D. Wigginton (spelling may vary) who was with the 65th GA Inf., Co. A, and Smith's Legion. He enlisted on 9/6/62 in Loudon TN then transferred to the 65th GA on 3/63. In July '63, he was posted as Police Guard then on Ordinance in August '63. He was furloughed in Dec '63 (40 days by General Hardee) and shown as a deserted on the Jan/Feb '64 MR. He took the Oath at Chattanooga TN on 4/11/64 and the released. His pension record stated that he surrendered with his command at Kingston GA at the "close of the war".

His brother Robert F. was with the same unit, was also posted as Police Guard and on Ordinance at the same time and deserted from camp on 2/23/64 near Dalton GA. "Lost Springfield rifle, complete knapsack, haversack, canteen, 40 cartridges and 52 caps." He took the Oath on the same day as Elisha.

I haven't found any records showing that they rejoined their units so was his story about "surrendering at the close of the war", a story or was he likely part of some guerrilla unit? Any thoughts are very much appreciated!