Hello Alan, He did desert in July of 1865 just about three months after joining the 5th United States Infantry. Some people may argue that he deserted at first opportunity and therefore was not a galvanized Yankee. If you look at the Find-A-Grave memorial # you will see that he has a Confederate stone with Phillips' Legion in Texas. Who ever put that flat Confederate plaque on his grave either did not believe he was a true galvanized Yankee or they failed to realize his service with the 5th United States Infantry. In my opinion he was a galvanized Yankee.