Oath or Renunciation and Allegience

[Crazypieces]

We find that my husband's 6 great grandfather, one Clifton F. Estill. Took this oath and was released from a prisoner camp as a full fledged citizen of the Union. Our question is, was he required to serve in the Union Army after that or could he just go home. Clifton was from Kentucky and lived to be an old man there. Thanks for your help.

 

[MajGenl.Meade]

Co. A, 8th KY Cavalry. Enlisted 1862, Sept 10th. Became a Sgt; arrested at Chester OH July 19. 1863 and ended up first at Camp Chase OH July 29 before being sent to Camp Douglas, Ill. Aug 20th. So he was one of Morgan's Raiders

He was released in December 1863 and signed the oath:

He swears never to go outside territory controlled by US forces but there is no requirement that he should enlist in those US forces. The oath of allegiance did not carry with it a requirement to enlist.

If an enlisted man (rebel) was forced to serve the Union army and was captured by the rebels, he would be executed. I guess he could have enlisted if he wanted to but there was no compulsion

 

[Allie]

That's pretty cool being descended from one of Morgan's raiders! Welcome to the forum.

 

[Allie]

Googling Mr. Estill turned up this book which contains a biography of him:

https://books.google.com/books?id=a...HnwSH#v=onepage&q="clifton f. estill"&f=false

 

[dsy1944]

How do I find the source of this copy?

 

[TinCan]

Nothing wrong with taking the oath and returning home, at least he didn't become a galvanized Yankee.