Possible Clues:

• Deserter held by soldiers without charge
• Soldiers caught blackleg for nothing
• Free deserter imprisoned by soldiers
• Rag in bits - it is all for nothing
• Send back instrument, good for nothing
• Bondsman ultimately slain in overthrow of republic
• Free turncoat held by soldiers
• Deserter captured by soldiers is not charged
• Cheesy crust's not new, but it's for free
• Deserter held by soldiers is not charged