Parole

During the Civil War both the North and South often used a system of parole to deal with surrendered opponents, rather than taking prisoners. Captured soldiers were released on parole on their promise not to take up arms again, or not to take up arms until they had been exchanged for an imprisoned soldier on the other side. (UNC School of Education, “Mustering out of the Confederate army”)

References

UNC School of Education.“Mustering out of the Confederate army.” Learn NC: North Carolina Digital History. http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-civilwar/4884 (Accessed November 20, 2012).