Wards Battalion

[Barrycdog]

Company B Wards Battalion CSA Prisoners released from military prison at Lynchburg Va. July 1864 "Wards Battalion – C. S. prisoners formed a temporary organization on June 11 1864 prisoners in charge of the Provost Marshall Lynchburg Va. and was comprised of various organizations and were pardoned by the president and directed to be returned by their respective commands.

I cam across this in my Research

 

[John Hartwell]

Were these pardoned CSA deserters? Or soldiers imprisoned for other reasons? Or civilian prisoners pardoned in order to enlist (military prison, so probably not)?

jno

 

[Barrycdog]

These were prisoners.

 

[John Hartwell]

These were prisoners.

I understand, but what kind of prisoners? Deserters? Imprisoned for other military offences? Civilian criminals?

jno

 

[Yankeedave]

it looks like as military men they were being released from probably a temporary military prison, only around for the war years. I know group punishment was handed out by Union authorities for example my reenacting unit went thru Cold Harbor colorless for infractions as a unit. there is a difference in the severity i agree.