Soldiers covered under the surrender agreement made between General Taylor and General Canby on May 4, 1865, were not imprisoned or detained. As in the example given, the soldier would have traveled to the nearest Federal military post, identified himself and asked to sign a parole. These were made in duplicate so that the soldier could keep a copy.

Paroles issued to entire units such as Forrest's cavalry command are dated starting no earlier than May 9th. Federal officers were finished paroling Confederate commands assembled under General Taylor's orders within a week.

Paroles like this one are filed with Prisoner of War records. Unfortunately filing in this category leads to the false impression that incarceration was involved.