Hugh Simmons to George Martin-Mississippi board 5/29/10
"...Part of the discussion between Pemberton and General Johnston at Jackson concerned keeping the paroled Vicksburg POWs south of the railroad to avoid demoralizing the men still in the ranks defending Jackson. However, the paroled Confederate officers coming out of Vicksburg had little or no control over the men. Most of the Vicksburg parolees headed for home without going first to the Parole Camp at Enterprise. Those that did report immediately after their release from Vicksburg were given the 30 day furlough which was deemed to apply to all, even those who did not report directly to Parole Camp from Vicksburg.
The Confederates in what later became the Dept of Ala, Ms and East Louisiana were badly demoralized by the loss of Vicksburg and Port Hudson, and the abandonment of Jackson - all in the space of two weeks. The same was true of the Trans-Ms troops who had been paroled at Vicksburg and crossed the Ms River to go home after their release from Vicksburg.
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