Alan..The federal paroling officers at Greensboro,Salisbury and Charlotte NC also were issuing many paroles to stragglers and escapees from Lee's Army.Please read my former posts again.The paroles were signed or validated by a federal and CSA paroling officer.Major general Hartsuff,the federal paroling officer was specific on this point.He gives several examples of the process.

I think one of the most important points is that the descendent of a soldier realize that his ancestor may or may not have been at such and such place on a specific date when he reads his ancestors card from the National Archives.

For example; My gf's says.. John H Gresham,Chaplain,9 Battalion Tennessee cavalry,Maury Co.Tn....Appears on a muster roll of Officers and Men paroled in accordance with a military convention entered into 26 April etc..between JE Johnson and Sherman etc...Paroled at Charlotte,NC.May 3,1865.

It is probable Gresham was not there on that date,but only appeared on THAT muster roll and had a parole written on That date.Actually,Gresham got a 30 day leave on Feb.11 and he may not have even got back from Tennessee in time for the surrender.But,he would have been carried on the rolls presented to the federal paroling officers on May 1st and had a parole made out with his name on May 3rd.

No doubt there may have been problems for returning Confederates without paroles.If,they got stopped and questioned before they got home.If so,then some federal officer would have just written him out one or just let him go on.The war was over.

MWT