Pamela:

All things are possible. Not everything possible is probable or even plausible

What seems most plausible to me is that he was in poor health when exchanged in January 1865, was furloughed home, and may or may not have rejoined his regiment. Captain George B. Gwinn very likely turned in a Company F roster to Federal authorities at Meridian from which all names were declared paroled. There are no remarks on the final parole record confirming that William McDaniel Reaves was actually present for the parole process in Meridian.

Spanish Fort was evacuated on the night of 8 APR 1865 and Fort Blakely was captured on the following day. It is also plausible that WDR rejoined his regiment, escaped capture and was with Captain Gwinn at Meridian. I checked Captain Gwinn’s CMSR and his has no POW records related to any action during the war. He signed his Parole of Honor on 10 MAY 1865 at Meridian under the Citronelle surrender agreement. This may indicate that William McDaniel Reaves reported into the parole center at Meridian and was paroled on 13 MAY 1865.

Hope this helps clarify things!

Hugh Simmons