Hello. May I suggest that you check to see what battle,etc. he would have been in prior to the date of desertion.
In the CSA records, it has been my experience that what actually happened was that no one knew where he went.
My own g grandfather of the 5th Tenn. was shot at Shiloh and listed as deserted.
What did happen was that he had gone home to Jackson, Tenn. to heal. He is also listed in a Tennessee site as being killed at Atlanta. That did not happen, but since I did not submit the information, the site will not take it down. The family is of the opinion that Atlanta may have been where he was wounded again as according to oral history he was shot twice.
So do not get excited about the term deserted, and please do not consider the man a coward.
That time period between March of 63 and Feb. of 64 is the key.
From my own experiences, I would think about 30 to 45 days prior to Feb. 19 might be the time frame to focus on.
Good luck in your search.
Linda