The Long Road Home: Released Confederate Rebellious Celebs' Journey After the US Civil War
The history of the American Civil War is often shrouded in the familiar narrative of battles, strategies, and political intrigue. The more profound impacts of the conflict, particularly its aftermath, are less explored. This article delves into how Confederate soldiers, who were captive rebels, returned to their homes after the war.
From The End of Battle To The Start Of Reconstruction
High school history books typically paint the end of the American Civil War as a simple surrender of General Lee to General Grant at Appomattox Court House. However, the truth is more complex. The war dragged on with further surrenders and battles until the last Confederate Army in the field officially capitulated in June 1865. The process by which Confederate soldiers were paroled and allowed to return to their homes is a less well-known but crucial aspect of this final chapter of the conflict.
Parole and Release During The Civil War
There was a common practice during the war years where Confederate and Union soldiers, after being captured, were disarmed and paroled. They were allowed to return to their homes on the condition that they pledge not to take up arms again. This practice was meticulously followed by Union commanders, such as General William T. Sherman, after his surrender to General Joseph E. Johnston.
A general order issued in June 1865 changed the rules slightly, requiring Confederate soldiers up to the rank of Captain to take an oath of allegiance before being released. Soldiers of higher ranks had to petition the President for a pardon.
The Journey Home: An Unforgettable Expedition
Returning to their homes was no simple task. Releasing over 50,000 Confederate soldiers meant that they had to face the challenges of their return, such as the South’s fragmented infrastructure and the lingering tensions between former enemies. The journey varied greatly, depending on the location and the mode of transportation available.
Many soldiers returned as organized units, led by their officers, marching home through the ruins of what once was their home. Other soldiers were provided with government transportation to a location near their homes and then had to continue walking. Lesser known details include steamboats, river boats, and even railroads, which played a key role in facilitating the journey home.
One specific account highlights the journey of a relative of Andy Hall’s ancestor. Released from Rock Island on June 22, 1865, he boarded the steamboat Victory, which transported him to an intermediate stop in St. Louis before continuing to New Orleans. From there, he boarded the U.S. transport Beaufort, sailing south to Galveston. Upon arrival, he boarded the riverboat Era No. 3, ultimately reaching Navasota, Texas, on July 6, a journey that spanned only 14 days. Amazingly, he even made the final leg from Houston to Navasota by rail on the Houston and Texas Central Railroad.
The Treatment and Context of Confederate Prisoners
Prison conditions during the war were harsh, particularly at places like Andersonville. However, Confederate prisoners faced both Union and Confederate treatment policies that often did not adhere to organized rules of war. The refusal of the Confederacy to exchange captured black troops prompted President Lincoln to suspend prisoner exchanges. General Ulysses S. Grant, in command by 1864, also found that returning captured prisoners prolonged the conflict by replenishing Southern manpower.
Until 1863, parole agreements were common, but the Confederate Congress in May of that year formalized the policy of not exchanging black prisoners. This led to a halt in prisoner exchanges, making parole and release a more complex process. Confederate soldiers who were released after July 30, 1863, were sent to established camps in the North for the remainder of the war.
Conclusion
The end of the American Civil War was not as abrupt as it often appears in historical narrative. The journey of Confederate prisoners back to their homes was a significant part of the post-war reconstruction. Understanding this period provides a richer context for the aftermath of one of the most pivotal conflicts in American history.
For the many Confederate prisoners who made it back to their homes, the road home was undoubtedly long and arduous. Their stories, like the one told by Andy Hall’s relative, are crucial in understanding the immediate aftermath of the American Civil War and the challenges faced by those who were released from captivity.