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A Family Connection to the Confederate Surrender That Effectively Ended the Civil War
The Story of a Family Heirloom
One hundred fifty-nine years ago on this day, Private L.E. Jones of the 9th Virginia Cavalry in the Army of Northern Virginia signed this parole, enabling him to return home in peace.
This parole was part of the generous terms extended to General Robert E. Lee and his Confederate army by General Ulysses S. Grant at the former’s surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.
The Army of Northern Virginia would surrender their arms, return home, and agree not to “take part in hostilities against the Government of the United States, until properly exchanged.” Wait! What?
Yep. When you read the parole, you’ll note that it doesn’t say the Civil War is over. It’s drafted as if the war might continue and that there might even be prisoner exchanges. Such an exchange could allow the signer to return to duty in the Confederate army.
This is because…technically…the war (as of April 9, 1865 — as well as April 25, 1865, when the parole was signed) wasn’t over.
Not yet.
The Confederate government, led by Jefferson Davis, hadn’t yet surrendered. It never would. Davis would be captured on May 10 (and…
