Many of the returning Federals and Confederates, while still under parole obligations, thought that they ought not to be held in parole camps, but furloughed home to await their exchange declarations. When they were declared exchanged and could return to duty, they would, of course, return. As reasonable as that intention was, many were ill and debilitated from service and prison, and were not able to return. Others were demoralized and fed up with the army and the war and would not return given the chance to go home. This attitude on the part of past parolees contributed to Grant's decision to parole the Vicksburg garrison rather than send them off to POW camps in the North. And he was right. Many never returned.

Paroled prisoners of war were, under the terms of the Cartel, not allowed to perform any kind of military duties or drill around camp and got into trouble as soldiers will do with empty time on their hands. They were held under as "light" a guard as possible, but under guard never-the-less. Those Federal parolees who attempted to escape from Fort Delaware and were caught were placed in "the cells" for a period of ten days on bread and water.

What really happened is truly amazing, I think!!

Hugh
Fort Delaware Society
Website: www.fortdelaware.org
E-mail: society@fortdelaware.org