Pres. Lincoln and Alec Stephens Agreement at the Hampton Roads Peace Conference

[Steve]

(04-07-2017 04:15 PM)David Lockmiller Wrote:  Steve,

Thanks for this information. The first item appears to be in the handwriting of Lieutenant John A. Stephens in which he promises not to divulge any Union military intelligence gained during the term of his time in Washington. Many years later, his son seems to be referring to a physical exchange of prisoners being made at or near the line between the opposing military factions.

David,
I only meant that Stephens would have been considered an exchanged soldier immediately when he crossed the lines where he could then join a Confederate unit instead of going to a Confederate parole camp or something similar and then waiting to be "officially exchanged".
If you look closely at the letter, Stephens' signature is in different handwriting than the rest of the letter. I think it was written out for him and told to sign it.