Description:

CONFEDERATE LEAVE OF INDULGENCE FOR PAROLED PRISONERS
An excessively rare partly-printed Confederate document, 1p. 4to, on Headquarters Department of Richmond letterhead, Richmond, Mar. 11, 1865, Special Order No. 166 signed in type by Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell, a document granting "leaves of indulgence" to paroled prisoner James F. Hilton of Co. D, 45th Va, Infy. (who signs), allowing him to return home for a period of up to thirty days after which he is to report to one of two parole camps. The document also bears a stamp indicating: "RATINS COMMUTED IN FULL AS PER FURLOUGH", although Hilton was given two days' worth for his trip home. Of course, Hilton would never return to the army again, as the war would end before his furlough did. Hilton was captured at the battle of Piedmont and paroled on Mar. 4, 1865. About six days later, we delivered to an exchange officer, and almost immediately "freed" through the issuance of this document. The creation of Confederate parole camps resulted from Yankee brilliance: Grant knew that paroling Confederate prisoners would place the onus of feeding paroled prisoners on the Confederate government. His plan worked - thousands of Confederate soldiers returned home never to fight again.

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May 13, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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