Alan,

OR47,Vol.3,page 355...April 30,1865...JM Schofield to JE Johnston,"It will not be necessary for your detachments to be collected to give their obligations.The certificates of commanding officers will be all that is necessary."

Please read my former post carefully.

a)Muster rolls presented.
b)Both CSA and federal paroling officer count the names and sign the roll.
c)# of pre-printed parole forms counted out for each soldier.
d)CSA officer then fills in name,rank of enlisted man and each sub officer and both CSA and federal parole officer sign the individual parole.
e)Then simply hand it to the man if he is still around.

No swearing in ceremony,No individual signing of paroles by the men and few stacking of arms.The armies were days apart and several detacments not in communication with Johnston or anyone.Paroling officers finished writting the paroles by May 3. Before this time over half of Johnston's Army had left.Especially the cavalry.Wheeler and Hampton refused to be part of any surrender and were gone by April 28th.Obviously some of the infantry if they were still around did receive their pre-filled out paroles.Many, however,were bitter over the surrender and also did not want to risk a prison camp so naturally walked or rode off before the paroles were even prepared.

It is probable the same conditions prevailed in general Taylor's Army and the Trans-Mississippi.I know my gfs and uncles in Texas just went home fully armed and mounted.The Oaths came later when the soldiers were disarmed and defenseless.

The surrender of the Confederate Armies in the closing days of the war is an often neglected subject.There are obvious misconceptions here and the word,"Assume" will always get us into trouble until we dig into the facts.

Check out,"This Astounding Close," by Mark Bradley.An excellent well researched book that will clear it all up.

MWT