Hello Joe, you're exactly correct! He did sign a volunteer oath of enlistment paper and his side of the story is a little different than the Federal authorities side. Union authorities had two charges against him. Desertion and intent to kill. I don't think Stanton or the State Department were too concerned over the dilemma. In the meantime his brother who was also a former Confederate in the 26th Regiment, North Carolina (State Troops) served the 3rd Maryland Cavalry and was reflected as having a good service record.