George, Pretty good stuff. Camp Thomas was on one side of the Olentangy River and Camp Lew Wallace on the other side. Both camps were on what is now The Ohio State University. By January 1, 1863 Camp Lew Wallace no longer existed. I've read letters from paroled Union soldiers at Camp Lew Wallace and they echo the misery of a parole camp. Many desertions were happening on a daily routine according to the letters which were located at the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus, Ohio. The rules of the Dix-Hill Cartel appear to be well known by the Union paroled prisoners. Although there were many smaller parole camps in the North there were two major parole camps. Camp Parole in Annapolis, Maryland which was used for eastern theatre Union soldiers and Camp Chase for the western theatre.

The numbers cited by Lew Wallace in his book said about 6,000 and his report to Stanton reflected about 3,000. In my opinion his report to Stanton is more accurate or should have been. He wrote his autobiography later in life which might explain the difference in numbers.

As I recall there were four battalions of paroled Union prisoners in later 1862 near Columbus, Ohio.