Mr. Simmons is correct about his statements not that he needs my approval by a long shot. I've ask Hugh more questions than my eight grade history teacher. The Union deserters were held at the Provost Marshal's Office in New Orleans. In 63-64 the Provost Marshal's name if I remember correctly was A.A. Atocha. Somewhere in my notes Hugh I found the address to the Provost Marshal's Office at New Orleans. As Mr. Simmons pointed out if a Union deserter had tried to reenlist in another Union regiment without being lawfully discharged from the 1st it carried a much harsher penalty if he was found guilty including a free trip to Fort Jefferson with hard labor. If he had deserted however and was found at a brothel and was sorry for his desertion many times we find him being just slapped on the hand and reduced in ranks and ordered to pay a fine. The former Confederates were treated more leniently in most cases. Detectives were roaming the streets of New Orleans looking for Union deserters as they were paid $30.00 per apprehension, a great deal of money considering a Union private was earning $13.00 per month. Some of the Union deserters used their real names to reenlist making it a rather easy arrest. Very few deserters on either side were executed for their desertions. Both President Lincoln and Davis issued pardons to the majority if found guilty.