Term: furloughs (Civil War)
Definition: An enlisted man's leave from the army, granted at his superior's discretion. Rules in both the Union and Confederacy specified that furlough be granted by a commander actually quartered with the soldier's company or regiment. A furloughed soldier's arms and accoutrements remained behind, and he carried furlough papers giving a detailed description of his physical appearance, return and departure dates, unit designation, and pay and subsistence allowances. Furlough papers warned the soldier to rejoin his unit by the date specified "or be considered a deserter."
[Source: http://www.civilwarhome.com/terms.htm Definition of Civil War Terms. (2007)]
