You wrote: >>> Confederate discharge certificates did however contain physical descriptions as well as age, place of birth, and occupation. <<<<

Everything you have said is pretty much on the money. But I would like to encourage you not to use the term “discharge certificates” when referring to Confederates at the end of the war. I think the term “final parole” is much more descriptive and appropriate. The only time Confederate soldiers received “discharge certificates” was when they were discharged for cause by Confederate authority during the war and before the surrenders.

Confederate soldiers were not “mustered out” or “discharged” at the end of the war. Many of the Trans-Mississippi units disbanded and went home before the surrender dated 26 MAY 1865 at New Orleans. But even these men were required individually to report into Federal parole centers to be accounted for and released on parole.

Confederate soldiers “at their posts” when the end came received parole certificates issued in their camps or at their place of work (quartermaster details, etc.) or in Confederate military hospitals. Absentees not present with some part of the Confederate army could afterwards report into a Federal Provost Marshal to be accounted for and released upon parole. This practice was part of the protocols of the Trans-Mississippi surrender where special parole centers were set up. Absentees in the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana also reported individually into the nearest Federal Provost Marshals to be accounted for and released on parole. My Horton ancestor from Tippah County did this. I think this was the case for Thaddeus C. Green that Mary Jo inquired about.

Those being held as actual prisoners of war in Federal POW camps before General Lee surrendered had to take an Oath of Allegiance when ordered released. Those released from Fort Delaware in April and May took the Lincoln Amnesty Oath. Those released in June and July took the standard War Department Oath of Allegiance, and could also take the Johnson Amnesty Oath if they insisted. They were given signed copies of the appropriate Oath upon release to take with them.

In each case, the final parole and the Oath of Allegiance, the certificate given represents a release from captivity, not a discharge from the Confederate army.

Hugh Simmons
Fort Delaware Society
Website: www.fortdelaware.org
E-mail: society@fortdelaware.org