We're in agreement. By strict definition, these men became prisoners-of-war when General Taylor agreed to surrender them. However, Richard Taylor -- like Robert E. Lee and Joseph E. Johnston before him -- carefully agreed to terms that would allow his troops not to be imprisoned or humilitiated in any way.

Soldiers in General Taylor's Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana didn't learn about the surrender for several days afterwards. General Taylor continued normal military operations as if he expected to fight on, so news of the surrender came as something of a surprise to officers and men under his command. Some -- like General Forrest and his cavalrymen -- considered going west of the Mississippi to continue the war. It didn't take long for Forrest to make up his mind.

When asked to join a group who planning to go west, Forrest replied, “Men, ya'll can do as you damn well please, but I’m a-going home.” When pressed on the subject by the governors of Mississsippi and Tennessee, he declared, “Any man who is in favor of a further prosecution of this war is a fit subject for a lunatic asylum, and ought to be sent there immediately.”

Questions about POW status in 1865 are regularly posted on these message boards. People ask, what kind of prison existed at such-and-such place? When was my ancestor captured and how long did he remain a prisoner before being released? It's also confusing to some because they assume their ancestor to have been present at Citronelle and sent somewhere else to be paroled. Wish there was some way to get the news out!