Derick, I have gone through the roster of Company E, 53rd Regiment N.C. Troops and yes, there were 11 men who deserted at Drewry's Bluff, Virginia. But, the main thing that was only lightly touched on from your research is the majority of these men were from 3 different families (Cook, Hunter, Jessup). Below is the list of men who deserted at Drewry's Bluff: John H. Beasley, Private Alfred D. Cook, Private Eli Cook, Private James M. Cook, Private John T. Cook, Private Matthew Doss, Private Jeremiah Hunter, Private Lewis Hunter, Private Lee Jessup, Private Meshack Jessup, Private William S. Jessup, Private Also, you failed to mention a number of the men who joined the Union Army actually joined after being captured and after being forced to sign the Oath of Allegiance. So many men left this company in one way or another, be it killed in battle, dying of wounds, resignation, taken POW & POW deaths, discharged, dying of disease, and dying from unknown causes. Yes, disease ran rampant through this company and the primary disease was typhus. POW's from Co. E at Fort Delaware, Point Lookout, Old Capital Prison, and Elmira also died of disease from chronic diarherra to scurvy. But, after researching where this company fought, I could hardly call Co. E a "unit of cowardice." Gettysburg, Spotsylvania Court House, Winchester, and Drewry's Bluff are among the places this company fought. It's just absurd to label these men "cowards" because there were deserters on BOTH sides during this war. So please, stop the name calling. Many more served and died from Co. E than deserted. Give these men who fought the honor and respect they deserve. Afterall, they are American Veterans by law. I also own an original 15 volume set of "North Carolina Troops 1861-1865: A Roster", plus the volumes of "Roster of N.C. Troops" by Moore (printed 1882), the 5 volume set of "North Carolina Regiments 1861-'65", all volumes plus indexes of "The Confederate Veteran", plus the "Official Records". As far as the National Park Service goes, they've become too politically correct for me to rely on their information and I say this from first hand experience after dealing with some of them. Edward Harding Life Member SCV/MOSB SCV National Genealogy Committee Member "The first law of the historian is that he shall never dare utter an untruth. The second is that he shall suppress nothing that is true. Moreover, there shall be no suspicion of partiality in his writing, or of malice." - Cicero (106-43 B.C.)