There is a series of volumes on NC Civil War that can be found at many libraries. North Carolina had the highest desertion rate of any state with about 25 percent of soldiers deserting, usually to return home to help their families. Several Stanly Co. soldiers were shot for desertion. Also many Stanly Co. soldiers refused to re-enlist and were consequently assigned to prison guard duty. Newspapers Stanly Co. did not have any local newspaper for most of the 19th century.
Some newspapers are available on microfilm for purchase.
If you cannot find your Stanly Co. ancestor marrying in Stanly Co. or listed in Stanly Co. for a given census year, you should check the surrounding counties. Many Stanly Countians married or moved across county lines. For example, there seem to be more Stanly Countians in Cabarrus Co. records than in Montgomery Co. records, possibly because there is a river between Stanly and Montgomery Counties, which probably was more of a barrier. So take into account geographical features, such as rivers. Often if a bride and groom were from different counties, they married in the bride's county of residence.