Since Knoxville and other stations in East Tennessee had been in Federal hands for some time, we wouldn't expect many paroled prisoners to have passed that way.

Richard Taylor's account mentions Confederate Congressmen fleeing from Richmond who arrived in Meridian during late April. When Gov. Isham G Harris of Tennessee later attempted to persuade Forrest to continue the fight in Texas or some other point west of the Mississippi. Forrest replied, "Any man who is in favor of further prosecution of this war is a fit candidate for a lunatic asylum, and ought to be sent there immediately."

Based on the date, it's more likely that these men were paroled prisoners recently released at City Point. At least 2,000 prisoners were released at City Point from March 19-22, 1865, and furloughed if strong enough to travel.