Furlough

fur'lo, temporary leave of absence granted to a soldier or sailor. To protect himself against the charge of desertion, a soldier is entitled to receive a written furlough which he must carry on his person. The same permission granted to an officer is called leave of absence. In the volunteer service furloughs are granted frequently in case the services of soldiers are not required immediately, but may be recalled in case of emergency. During the Civil War soldiers who were wounded and rendered unfit for duty, but who were yet able to travel, were granted furloughs not infrequently with permission to go home and recuperate until they were sent for.