Civil War Parole
Following Johnston's April 1865 surrender to Sherman at Bennett Place in Durham, NC, each Confederate soldier and officer was issued a parole slip similar to this one stating that he would no longer take up arms against the Union.
A transcription of this parole slip is below.
[Civil War Parole Slip]. May, 1865. Bennett Place Historical Site, Durham, NC.
GREENSBORO SALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA,
May ________, 1865. In accordance with the terms of the Military Convention, entered into the twenty-sixth day of April, 1865, between General Joseph E. Johnston, commanding the Confederate army, and Major-General W. T. Sherman, commanding the United States Army in North Carolina,
[soldier's name]
has given his solemn obligation not to take up arms against the Government of the United States until properly released from this obligation, and is permitted to return to his home, not to be disturbed by the United States authorities so long as he observes this obligation and obeys the laws in force where he may reside.
[Signed by Special Commissioner, U.S. Army, and the soldier's commanding officer, Confederate Army]
Public Domain
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