My father, Robert Lee Sims, spoke often of of my grandfather,Thomas Garland
Sims, Co.G, 23rd Va Infantry, walking to their home in Louisa County from
Richmond, Va after the war ended. I obtained from the National Archives, a
copy of a document he signed, granting him permission to return to his home
in Louisa County,Va. In the document he swore not to engage in hostilties
against the United States. The printed form had the address Richmond Va
which was crossed out and Ashland Va written in. It was dated May ??, 1865
and signed by a Provost Marshall ?? and my grandfather. If interested, I
will e-mail a copy.
Conrad Sims



On Wed, Oct 10, 2012 at 12:05 PM, Lyle E. Browning <[log in to unmask]>wrote:

> As I was driving back through Appomattox yesterday, it occurred to me that
> while the big picture was the surrender and effective end of the Civil War
> took place there. What happened then? The Union Army had administrative
> control of its troops because they were in the army and it was responsible
> for their care and feeding. But what of the CSA folks who had no effective
> governmental unit to take care of them and to provide them transport home.
> If I remember correctly, the US Army fed the, but then what? How did these
> thousands upon thousands of people (not just Lee's Army folks, but the
> entire CSA contingent all over the South at the various surrender points)
> get home? One foot in front of the other? Train transport? Was there
> anything organized for them by the USA? Also, for the former POW's, once
> released, how were they able to return home?
>
> Any info for a thought provoked by driving by in comfort on a paved road
> seeing the open fields and signage would be gratefully received.
>
> Lyle Browning
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