POWs were encouraged to take the Oath and lists of those who asked to take it were submitted to the War Department from time to time. But not everybody who asked to take the Oath was released. Several hundred were housed in the "citizens barracks" in 1864 and 1865 at Fort Delaware, separated from the loyal Confederates in the prison pen. The names were carefully screened at the War Department and selected prisoners were released by name on special orders. I understand that there were a few members of the Immortal 600 at Hilton Head and at Fort Pulaski who took the Oath and were released before the survivors returned to Fort Delaware in March 1865.

At Fort Delaware, except for those released on special orders from the War Department in April and May, the vast majority of the surviving Immortal 600 were released under General Orders No. 109 in June 1865. This required them to take the Oath of Allegiance. They then had the option to also take the Amnesty Oath, if they wished. Transportation was provided by water and rail to a point that could be reached nearest their homes. Everybody had to walk the last few miles home from the last station.

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