Civil War History - The South & Western TheatersCheck this forum for all South and Western Theater Questions. Included are the Western, Pacific, Trans-Mississippi, & Lower Seaboard and Gulf Approach Theaters.
Jason:
I'd have to double-check, but I don't think so. If I'm recalling correctly, denying parole came later; halting exchange, later still.
Some history has it that wholesale violations of the Vicksburg paroles soured Grant on paroles in General. I won't get into that, but somewhere in this stack of threads and forums is a comprehensive discussion of paroles and exchanges.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Grant was within his right to parole captured men. It was common practice as it was cheaper than guarding, housing (euphamism for keeping them in an enclosed area) and feeding them. He also calculated on the parolees spreading demoralization through the army and quite a number did not rally back to the Confederacy. It wasn't until 1864 that Grant, with Lincoln's support, began to deny parole as it was cheaper to hold captive than to refight the same soldier twice.
I think that Grant would rather risk the Vicksburg garrison runing off and joining Joe Johnston than tie up the vessels and time needed to transport 40,000 to a Northern prison.
__________________ F. S. Powers
Union Ancersor: Pvt Arnuah Norton, 60th Ohio. (G-G-G Grandfather) Died at Salisbury NC, November 3, 1864
Confederate Ancestors: Captain Thomas A. Morrow, 29th Texas Cavalry (G-G-G- Uncle) and 2LT George W. Morrow, 31st Texas Cavalry (G-G-G Grandfather). Both survived the war
On Monday I took a tour of the Vicksburg Battlefield. If any of you ever have the opportunity to do so, I highly recommend it. The battlefield is awesome. It is on par with Gettysburg. There are monuments laid out all along the driving tour, with markers explaining where the units were, who was commanding, etc. Also, the USS Cairo, an ironclad that was sunk in the Mississippi and raised in the 1960s, is on display at the battlefield park. I spent two hours there, but I could easily have spent two days. The driving tour takes you along the Union lines in the first half and the confederate lines in the second half. It's well laid out, and if you have a camera with you you will probably take well over 100 photographs.
Hi all,
Just wanted to share that I had kin in Texas2nd at Vicksburg. They were paroled but didn't go join Joe Johnston. Instead they hightailed it down to Galveston and were reassigned.
To be paroled is to promise that you won't rejoin an active unit until you are properly exchanged -- that is, traded back to your side in exchange for one of the other side's soldier.
Theoretically, Texas2nd, your kin didn't get himself reassigned until exchanged, but who was keeping track?
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Hi all,
Just wanted to share that I had kin in Texas2nd at Vicksburg. They were paroled but didn't go join Joe Johnston. Instead they hightailed it down to Galveston and were reassigned.
Texas2nd
My great-great grandfather was paroled at Vicksburg, and he just went home to East Tennessee and resumed his civilian life. That was the end of his involvement in the war.
My great-great grandfather was paroled at Vicksburg, and he just went home to East Tennessee and resumed his civilian life. That was the end of his involvement in the war.
Will
Your great-great grandfather was a wise man.
__________________ -
"It was a very peculiar time." - Franklin D. Cossitt
Ancestors in USA Army: 6th IA Inf, 11th IL Cav, 1st AL Cav; 122nd NY Inf; 6th MI Cav; 35th MA Inf; 100th IL Inf; 1st CO Inf/Cav; 22nd IN Inf
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