Hello George, Normally I'd agree with you about him being on the muster rolls as deserting for causing concern. Several of these units in western Virginia fought the enemy and when fighting was over they went home. This must have drove the Confederate military crazy but it's just the way it was. They protected their families foremost and duty second from what I can see. This information does not come from books but rather with years of research on some of these Western Virginia units. I don't have to tell you about the war in Western Virginia. Seeing him and others as deserting does not count much in my opinion when it comes to some of these troops. This is not to say that all soldiers felt this was but many did in my opinion. If he would have been out of State that would be another issue. General Crook and the Union Home Guards became quite proficient in sniffing out Confederates and Confederate sympathizers by mid 1863 and after.

No help with Robert Clark..........welcome to my world. I agree there are many Robert Clark's and even more when you consider the Robert Clarke's.