Article I.
In all cases of desertion the sentence may include dishonorable discharge and forfeiture of pay and allowances.
Subject to the modifications authorized in Section 3 of this article the limit of the term of confinement (at hard labor) for desertion shall be as follows:
Section 1. In case of surrender—
(a) When the deserter surrenders himself after an absence of not more than thirty days, one year.
(b) When the surrender is made after an absence of more than thirty days, eighteen months.
Sec. 2. In case of apprehension—
(a) When at the time of desertion the deserter shall not have been more than six months in the service, eighteen months.
(b) When he shall have been more than six months in the service, two and one half years.
Sec. 3. The foregoing limitations are subject to modification under the following conditions:
(a) The punishment of a deserter may be increased by one year of confinement at hard labor in consideration of each previous conviction of desertion.
(b) The punishment for desertion when joined in by two or more soldiers in the execution of a conspiracy, or for desertion in the presence of an outbreak of Indians or of any unlawful assemblage which the troops may be opposing, shall not exceed dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement at hard labor for five years.