Re: 46th AL Co. C -- questions re: Demopolis/VicksBy:Hugh Simmons
Date: Saturday, 17 April 2004, 5:18 pm In Response To: Re: 46th AL Co. C -- questions re: Demopolis/Vicks (Alan Pitts)
The able bodied Confederates released on parole walked out of Vicksburg (they were not allowed to proceed in any military formations) on July 11, 1863. Paroling of these able bodied men was completed in their respective regimental camps inside Vicksburg prior to the July 11th.
After that, those who were wounded or sick in the various hospitals in Vicksburg were paroled, and were released as soon as they could leave on their own. July 15th/16th is the most common date of these Vicksburg hospital paroles that I found in the CMSR of the 12th Louisiana Infantry. Some of the most seriously wounded and sick were sent by steamship down the Mississippi River and over to Mobile where they were delivered on parole to Confederate authorities. You can find the exact number in the Official Records, Series II.
Confederate commanders designated Enterprise, Mississippi as the rendezvous point (parole camp) for the Vicksburg parolees to report to after they got clear of last Federal control point at Big Black Bridge. Because so many of the Vicksburg parolees went home first, those who did go directly to the parole camp at Enterprise were granted a 30 day furlough. I believe that Demopolis was declared an additional parole camp when the furloughs were authorized, but that information is also to be found in OR II. I have the impression that this "30 day furlough" was not strictly adhered to so long as the soldier eventually showed up at either Enterprise or Demopolis to be declared exchanged and returned to duty. Those who went directly home were treated as if they had been home on furlough if they eventually reported into one of these two parole centers. The exchange declaration reports issued by Colonel Robert Ould in Richmond for various units in the Vicksburg and Port Hudson surrenders began in September 1863 based upon men who actually reported into one of the two parole camps.
Demopolis was the headquarters for the Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana to which General Polk was assigned command in the fall of 1863. The last of the Vicksburg/Port Hudson parolees east of the Mississippi River were declared exchanged and re-organized at Demopolis in January 1864. General Sherman marched on Enterprise in February 1864 from Vicksburg and destroyed as much Confederate property in Enterprise as he could.