That's the method described in my first response. Veterans who could produce witnesses in their behalf usually received pensions. However, no change was made to service files.

I understand your thinking, but Confederate service records at the National Archives were microfilmed at least a half century ago. According to his company commander, this man left the company without permission on Feb. 22nd. Evidently he returned before the lines around Petersburg were broken on April 2nd. The question remains, where was he during the period between Feb. 22nd and April 2nd, 1865?