Thanks for your inquiry. Newton Lipsey has a service file with the Palmetto Sharpshooters and another with the 5th South Carolina Regiment. Enlisting for one year in Union Dist. SC on April 13, 1861, Newton served with 1st Co. "E", 5th South Carolina Regt. At the end of that term, he reenlisted in Co. "A", Palmetto Sharpshooters, serving through August of 1864. The following roll for Sept.-Oct. 1864 show him as a member of 2nd Co. "H", 5th South Carolina Regt.

The last roll on file for the 5th South Carolina Regt., that of Jan.-Feb. 1865, reports that he deserted on Feb. 22, 1865. As there are no later records in his name, the pension board could do no other than to reject his application. The board might have accepted statements from other veterans who could attest to his faithful service in 1865 and accepted the application. A simple denial by the applicant would not have been sufficient to reverse the board's decision.

Identified wartime images of Confederate soldiers are rare. Even unidentified images sell at a premium when offered for sale.
Copies of Newton Lipsey's service files are available here.