Although travel took much longer than today, officers who authorized a furlough usually assumed an enlisted man was going home. For example, some hospital records for soldiers released on include home county and post office. The soldier could opt for visiting relatives or friends if he wished or if his home was inside enemy lines. Some soldiers decided to chance a trip home even when if would be dangerous. Many soldiers were captured on such visits.

If a soldier could not return in time due to poor health, he was expected to report to the nearest military post and be examined by the post surgeon. It seems that a number of furloughed men returned a few days late. Many rolls list a man as being absent after his leave expired. Usually a note follows that he returned shortly after the last roll was completed.