There were a fair number of folks who went awol during that ‘conflict’. Your friend’s story is so very very different than this POS deserter. Surely that is apparent to you. This dirt bag gave information to the enemy that improved their kill rate against American soldiers. That is more than being awol. It is worse than desertion (I have a great uncle who was dishonorably discharged from the 1st Virginia due to desertion shortly after the battle in some northern town in Pennsylvania). IT IS TREASON.
If everything thing I have heard about this guy, especially giving aid to the enemy, is true, then tall tree short rope is in order.
true words