I am looking for information about captured Southern troops that were offered a chance to serve the Union in the West instead of going to the prision camps. I saw a book and its on order but its the only information I have found so far on this subject. Is this true or is it another of the works of fiction that came out of the CW era? Thanks in advance for any help and information.
Bristow Kid
The English reporter that we know as "Stanley" that found "Livingston" was one.
He was adopted by a Mississippi Merchant as I recollect from his Memoirs & grew up there, learned his adoptive fathers business, joined the Local Militia & fought for the Southern cause.
His cross belt buckle took the full impact of a Mini bullet, which knocked him out & when he woke up he was a P.o.W.
The Federals gave him the option you mentioned above & he joined the Sea Service, Jumping Ship in Liverpool, England where he started his new career as a Reporter of a London News Paper & the rest is history.