Captain John Dance, commanding Company K, Eighth Iowa Cavalry, First Brigade commanded by BG John T. Croxton, records in his journal that his men came across a group of Confederate soldiers who were seeking shelter in a mill house. When enjoined to surrender, the Rebels produced paroles issued by the Army of the Potomac. Sadly, Captain Dance does not record the date on which this encounter took place, perhaps Croxton's first knowledge of the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. When would be the earliest when parolees from the ANV could reach say, Jefferson, Shelby, or Talledega counties?