  |
|
|
|
Page 3
In 1864, when trouble erupted once more on the plains, prisoner exchanges between North and South were a thing of the past. And with no more paroled, waiting-to-be-exchanged Federal troops to turn to for help, the green light was finally given for an even more unusual solution - Confederate prisoners.
And so the stage was set for one of the Civil War's most ironic moments - Rebel soldiers swearing to serve the Yankee government and protect Yankee citizens. The one condition was that they would not be required to fight against their former comrades in the South. Instead, they would be sent west, to serve on the frontier. It might seem on the surface that such men would be of questionable loyalty and dubious value for the Union. As we shall see however, in the majority of cases, the men comprising the six regiments of the officially titled United States Volunteers would serve their 'new' country quite well. In more than one instance, that service would unfortunately include the ultimate sacrifice. Part II of this article will be posted on Saturday, March 8th |
|
|
|
