Thanks for your input. It's the first one I've received. I haven't studied the regiment very much, and am thrilled at the additional info. It might account for Rufus Tompkins (unknown if he was a brother or cousin or no relation at all) of the same CO., also being shown as deserted on the same date. You're thinking then that he might not have deserted, but simply left camp early? Or would the impending move of the camp have been the perfect opportunity to desert? Family lore is that he went home to help his wife with a new baby (my great grandmother). He must have actually deserted or he wouldn't have been in Washington DC in 1865 being identified in a letter by a fellow soldier, would he? You've given me new things to think about. Will have to dig into the history of the 144th. Thanks again. Judy Not sure if you have gotten responses about your ancestor query or not, but the question is probably what happened in Feb of 1863, not April. On Feb 12th, the 144th moved from their camp at Upton's Hill (Camp Bliss) towards southeast VA. Rumors and possibly orders might have circulated widely the 11th, on which day he was said to have deserted. Your ancestor was in Co. E of 144th NYVI, the 'All Delaware' regiment. Robert J. Taylor, M.D. - Family Physician;Family Researcher - Taylor, Robinson, Anderson, Ballentyne, Bradley, Dumond, Devereaux, Hitchman, Houghton, Munson, Noble, Robbins, Sackrider, Seymour, Sloat, Smallin, VanWormer and others Author of The Civil War Letters of Wm. A. Robinson and the Story of the 89th NYV Webpage http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~taylorhomepage/Index.htm > From: jolson@rea-alp.com> To: nydelawa@rootsweb.com> Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 19:46:30 -0600> Subject: [NYDELAWA] Interpret an archive sheet please> > HI,> > Can someone help me figure out a record from the archives for my> gggrandfather Jeremiah Tompkins. The record has number 1759 in the upper> right hand corner. EP SIG is handwritten to the left of his name. I think> that refers to enlistment. It shows on his M.I.R. line, August 30, 1862,> Andees, mustered in September 27, 1862 Private, Co. E, 144th Inf. The middle> part of the form, Left the Organization, shows: deserted Feb 11, 1863,> Private, from Camp Bliss, VA> > " " " " " "> " " Upton Hill, VA> The part that confused me is handwritten in the left margin "MR Apr. 12/63> and below that is stamped M.O.R.> > The lower part of the form gives his birthplace and description. No problem> with that, but what I don't understand is did they muster him out in April,> two months after he deserted? I do know he was on trial for d! esertion in> Washington DC in 1865 but can't find out the outcome or his date and place> of death. His wife was in Iowa in 1868, marrying another man and starting a> new family.> > Hoping someone knowledgeable in war history would know what might have> happened in April 1863.