Wonderful info. I would guess he did die on the (steamer?) trip home and what we know so far on his death is from a book, History of Maury Co. TN, by Smith p. 300, that says he died in Sept. 1862 after his release. I have not seen this myself. My aunt says it said he died in Leatherwood, TN in Sept. 1862, but I realize it would have taken a week or so by wagon to go from Vicksburg to Hickman Co., TN.

It would even be great to know the name of the boat he traveled home on. I think he went up on the Empress? I am awaiting records.

The only record we do have, my aunt had gotten, says it is from the Confederate Archives, says he appears on a
(Something...can't make out first word... Prisoners of War, Camp Douglas, IL- August 1, 1862.)It has Unit, etc. and that he was captured on Feb. 16, 1862.
I wonder if Aug. 1 would be a date he was in their hospital. Do you know if the prisoners exchanged in Sept. of 1862, were given a signed release on Aug.1?