Camp Fisk wasn't established until long after the 1862 release at Vicksburg of units surrendered at Fort Donelson and Island #10.

It took several boats and trips to ship these prisoners [variously estimated as 15,000] down the Mississippi from the northern prison camps. There were several arrivals at Vicksburg of such ships during September. After anchoring above Vicksburg, the returning prisoners were then received on parole on board these steamers by the Confederate agent for exchange Major N. G. Watts.

They were then landed across the river from Vicksburg and ferried over to the city; then by railroad to a multitude of camps in and near Jackson and Clinton. These temporary camps were established to accommodate reorganization and re-equipping of the various individual regiments as they awaited word of their official exchange.