Alan,

Thanks, you're right on the money.

Just did an OR search with only about six hits, but did come up with a few tidbits. Strange that there is such a dearth of information on this subject.

"All prisoners who have been paroled must be detained at Camp Direction and not allowed to scatter through the country. As soon as they are exchanged they will be forwarded to their respective companies."

" . . . this Camp of Direction is a sort of headquarters for guards and couriers."

"I have established a camp of direction to prevent the straggling of returning squads"

"There are large numbers of officers and men in this city [Augusta, Ga.] absent from their commands. They excuse themselves by saying they do not know where their commands are, and when informed, reply they cannot walk there. A camp of direction should be established at some suitable point for the concentration of these absentees, and there kept until they be sent to their proper commands. All such should be kept out of the city. Be good enough to call the attention of Brigadier-General Fry to this matter."