Thanks so much !!!! You've been very helpful !!!!! It appears he got to Virginia in time for some of the war's worse fighting !!!! Then went through the experience of getting back home. Do you believe he would have been given any assistance in that regard ? I remember reading in Confederate Veteran the account of an old Reb from Tennessee released from Ft. Delaware I believe, He said they gave him 3 days rations I think, pointed him south, and said " GIT !!!! " In his words " Like an old cur dog !!!! " Was that typical ? David's last child was born in June 1863. Would anything have exempt him up until a certain time ? ( size of his family ? amount of land he farmed ? ) as far as I know he was a " poor dirt farmer " Thanks so much for your help and your site.

Glenn Land