This collection consists of one parole document that releases Confederate soldier Benjamin T. Holliday from Point Lookout (Maryland) prison. On the reverse is an oath of allegiance to the United States signed by Holliday.
Benjamin Taylor Holliday was born on February 28, 1845. On June 15, 1861, he enlisted for 1 year as a Private with Company F, 2nd Virginia, and was discharged on December 2, 1861. He entered VMI in January 1862 and left in June 1863.
On September 6, 1863, Holliday enlisted at Culpeper, Virginia for 3 years as a Private with Captain J.W. Carter's Company Virginia Horse Artillery (Captain R.P. Chew's Company, VMI Class of 1862; Captain J.W. Thomson's Company, VMI Class of 1864). He was captured on September 13, 1863 at Culpeper Court House, Virginia, and held at Point Lookout, Maryland. Holliday was released on oath on June 3, 1865.
After the Civil War, Holliday was a traveling salesman and orchardist. He died on April 3, 1918 in Waynesboro, Virginia.
Some records show that Holliday was captured on September 14, 1863. Additionally, his name is sometimes spelled "Holladay."
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Benjamin T. Holliday Civil War parole document, 1865 June 3. MS 0233. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.
This parole document releases Confederate soldier Benjamin T. Holliday from Point Lookout (Maryland) prison. On reverse is an oath of allegiance to the United States signed by Holliday.
Certificate of Release of Prisoner of War.
Head Quarters, Point Lookout, MD.
Provost Marshal's Office, June 3rd, 1865.
I hereby certify that Benjamin T. Holliday of the County of Frederick, State of Virginia, Prisoner of War, has this day taken the Oath of Allegiance to the UNITED STATES, and has subscribed to the same in the books of this Office, and also on the back of this Certificate.
He is therefore in accordance with instructions from the War Department released and discharged.
By Command of
Brig. Genl James Barnes
A. G. Brady
Major and Provost Marshall
[oath on back]
United States of America
I Benj. T. Holliday do solemnly swear that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States against all enemies, whether domestic or foreign; that I will bear true faith, allegiance, and loyalty to the same, any ordinance, resolution, or laws of any State, Convention, or Legislature, to the contrary notwithstanding; and further that I will faithfully perform all the duties which may be required of me by the laws of the United States; and I take this oath freely and voluntarily, without any mental reservation or evasion whatsoever.
Benj. T. Holliday
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this third day of June A. D. 1865.
A G. Brady
Major and Provost Marshal.
The above-named has light complexion, light hair, and blue eyes; and is five feet nine (9) inches high.