Pension Witness Statement Question

[rgtaylor61]

In reviewing an ancestors wife's pension application i came across something that is perplexing me. One of his comrades in his regiment (31st Tennessee Company E) attested to his service and that he was captured at Nashville. I do know that he was sent to Camp Chase and then at wars end to Maryland. However, in the witness statement the witness says all of this but then includes that he was there in May of 1865 in Greensboro NC and that he saw him there. Question, were POWs returned to Greensboro and paroled there (that is how the statement makes it seem).

 

[DaveBrt]

In reviewing an ancestors wife's pension application i came across something that is perplexing me. One of his comrades in his regiment (31st Tennessee Company E) attested to his service and that he was captured at Nashville. I do know that he was sent to Camp Chase and then at wars end to Maryland. However, in the witness statement the witness says all of this but then includes that he was there in May of 1865 in Greensboro NC and that he saw him there. Question, were POWs returned to Greensboro and paroled there (that is how the statement makes it seem).

I don't think he is saying that he was a POW in Greensboro. The Richmond & Danville/Piedmont RR was kept running from Danville to Clover, 46 miles, with Meade's permission. The intention was to move as many former soldiers as possible back home. Moving these men quickly would ease everyone's problems. Greensboro was the southern end of the Piedmont RR and was likely the route most men took headed south.

 

[rgtaylor61]

Right..i might have not worded my question correctly. I am wondering if after the surrender the Federals moved POWs from maryland to Greensboro to parole them. The witness for my ancestor says in his statement he saw him there. Did they immediately release them? Thank you for this information on the railroads as well. very helpful

 

[Story]

Did they immediately release them?

Immediately, if not sooner. Grant was working overtime to exchange even before Appomattox.

This blog post is well-researched

Prisoner Exchange and Parole - Essential Civil War Curriculum

Eager to get out of the prison business, the government emptied its depots quickly when the war ended and worked hard to return Union captives from the South. Sadly this ultimate exchange came only after the deaths of over 30,000 Yankees and more than 25,000 Rebels in Civil War prisons.