Hi historians! I am doing genealogical research on my 3rd Great-Grandfather, Levi Rothschild.

Levi immigrated to the US from the Landgraviate or Hesse-Kassel in 1851, arriving in NYC at age 23. 11 years later, he was enrolled in the NY 103rd Infantry (the Sew-ard Infantry), Company F “German Rifles.” He enlisted as a private on April 21st, 1862. His regiments joined with the Dept. of North Carolina, who by the time he deployed would have already failed at their attempt to destroy the Dismal Swamp Canal.

Here’s where it gets strange. The unit would have seen quite a bit of action by the time he arrived in VA/NC. They likely saw action in many skirmishes and engagements thereafter, but I am novice at navigating the records and timeline.

There’s a gap, and then, a twist. Levi’s muster roll that he died by suicide at Newport News, VA in July of 1862. This seems odd, and I will elucidate as to why.

1. There is a note in the “notes section” of the muster roll from June (before his declared death) that reads: “June 20/62: Levi Rothschild (enlt, p.c. as above) present not p.d. No (latest?) record found.”

2. Levi resurfaces in NYC soon after, has more children with the same wife, responds to multiple censuses as living in the same apartment with the same address, and has another death date in the early 20th century. I am quite confident that these are not two similar people with the same name.

3. Levi shows up in 1865 on a draft exemptions list, showing as being exempted that year due to “varicose veins”.

My questions: knowing that 45.000 NY’ers deserted (the most of any union state by far) is that the best assumption? Fake suicide or a cover up of the desertion by officers trying to save face?

What does the note on the muster roll mean?

Any clarity would be hugely appreciated, as well as any info about his unit history. Thank you!!