I suspect that he was Conscripted into the army and deserted at the first opportunity. The records show he never returned to his regiment.

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George Washington Bracey

Residence was not listed; 33 years old.
Enlisted on 8/17/1861 as a Private.
On 8/17/1861 he mustered into "C" Co. MS 4th Infantry
He was Surrendered on 5/4/1865 at Citronelle, AL
Other Information:
born 7/12/1828 in Emery, MS
died 3/15/1878
Buried: Bracey Cemetery, Walthall, MS

Note, I suspect the dates of his enlistment and surrender date shown above, were taken from the application for his VA Confederate tombstone

Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:
- Index to Compiled Confederate Military Service Records
- Mississippi Confederate Grave Registry

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G. W. Bracy [sic], Private, Company C, 4th Mississippi Infantry, enlisted November 26, 1862 at Brookhaven, Miss., by Maj. Clark, for 3 years, recorded on the February 14, 1863 muster roll as absent without leave since January 20, 1863, Vicksburg, Miss., recorded on October 31,1863 as Deserted from Vicksburg January 15, 1863, no further records

Note, he must have been dropped from the rolls as his name does not appear on the two subsequent Company C muster rolls, the last being dated February 29, 1864

M269: Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Mississippi

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The October 28, 1940 application for his VA tombstone, name corrected to G. W. Bracy, records he enlisted August 17, 1861 at Emery, Miss., his discharge as May 4, 1865 at Citronelle, Ala. Applicant G. W. Bracey, at Tylertown, Walthall, Miss., Rt. 3, Jayess, Miss.