Re: Jonathan Hartman born 1841 De Kalb Co, AL interesting military history

My ancestor, James Calvin McMurry, served in the 2nd Cavalry, Union.We were always told he was "conscripted into the Southern Army, deserted, walked up the Old Wire Road to Springfield, MO, enlisted in the Union Army, and served out the war."True, but not the whole truth.There was a Union raid on NW AR, they kind of "carried away" large numbers of Southerners with them, who joined the Northern Army.Do not know if your 3rd Cavalry might have been the same, might have been, also, why they were given special treatment.Also, in his record there is mention of desertion, but he had gone home and was trapped behind enemy lines and could not get back when he was supposed to; might also be something like the reason for your "desertion."