Fellows, I do believe you are misreading what I wrote, and that was "Confederate discharge certificates did however contain physical descriptions as well as age, place of birth, and occupation.", I said nothing of end of war paroles, etc.

As to Discharge Certificates, I note Quartermaster and Pay Departments Forms,

Form No. 59 [58 in the case of my 43rd Tennessee]

"Certificate to be given a soldier at the time of his discharge."

Here are a few examples:

discharged November 3, 1862 at Lenoirs, Tenn., by reason of the expiration of his term of service and being underage, received three days pay of $1.10, description: born in Wilkes Co., N. C.; age 16; height-5 ft.; complexion-fair; eyes-blue; hair-red; occupation-farm boy

discharged November 3, 1862 at Lenoirs, Tenn. by reason of the expiration of his term of service and being over 45 years of age, paid $1.10 representing 3 days pay, description: born in Kentucky; age-46; height-5 ft. 8 in.; complexion-dark; eyes-grey; hair-dark; occupation-farmer

discharged August 31, 1862 by reason of disability, paid $22.00 for preceeding two month period, description: born-Meigs Co., Tenn.; age 24; height-5 ft. 11 in.; complexion-dark; eyes-black; hair-dark; occupation-farmer

discharged March 30, 1863 at Vicksburg, Miss. by reason of being under 18 years old, paid $11.25 being computed from one months pay @ $11.00 plus 6 months commutation of clothing of $63.25 less $63.00 deducted for clothing overdrawn, description: born in Bradley Co., Tenn.; age-17; height-5 ft. 8 in.; complexion-fair; eyes-blue; hair-light; occupation-Farmer

discharged non-conscript April 30, 1863

discharged December 18, 1862 at Kingston by reason of his term of service having expired and he being over forty years of age, received $16.10 representing one month and 18 days pay less $7.00 deduction for clothing overdrawn, description: age 51; born-Blunt Co., Tenn.; height-6 ft. 6 in.; complexion-dark; eyes-black; hair-black; occupation-farmer

discharged November 5, 1862 at Lenoirs, Tenn. by reason of his term of enlistment having expired and he being under the age of eighteen years, paid $1.10 back pay, description: age 16; height-5 ft. 3 in.; complexion-fair; eyes-grey; hair-sandy; occupation-clerk

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I previously stated that parole certificate descriptions appear to be similiar to finger prints of today, I should have said Photo IDs