Safe passage

My great great grandfather on my Dad's side was Joseph Rowell. He enlisted in the CSA, Florida's 2nd Infantry in July of 1861 and served for 14 months before being discharged due to his age. He was 37 years old at the time.

Six months later, with the South needing men, he enlisted again. This time he served until the end of the war.

On April 10, 1865 at Appomattox Court House, Virginia as part of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia who had surrendered, he was given a paper to allow him safe passage back to his home in Florida.

On March 22, 1889 when he filed for a Florida Confederate service pension, due to old age and disability he submitted his pass as proof of his military service.


For over 100 years it has remained in the pension file in Tallahassee, Florida. I've written to the Florida Secretary of State requesting return of the family property. So far they haven't responded but I'm not giving up.