Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984. Amnesty Papers, 1865 - 1867

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Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984. Amnesty Papers, 1865 - 1867

1865-1867

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/656621

This series contains individual letters of application of Confederates for pardon and amnesty in response to President Andrew Johnson's proclamation of May 29, 1865, together with a few applications submitted to President Abraham Lincoln by persons excepted under his earlier proclamations. The majority of applications are unsworn statements by petitioners, but there are also a large number of statements sworn before a magistrate. Included with each application is an oath of allegiance signed by the petitioner and, in many cases, recommendations from prominent citizens for clemency or letters from relatives or friends containing pleas for compassion. Applications received by the President through governors of southern states bear their endorsements. In some instances there are notations by the President or his assistants indicating action on a particular case. The individual files often contain considerable information on a pardon applicant's background, his activities during the war years, and his attitude in defeat. Approximately half of the applicants are from individuals excepted under the proclamation of May 29, 1865, because of their ownership of property valued at more than $20,000.

110 linear feet

eng, Latn

National Archives Library, National Archives Records Administration

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 11628822

National Archives Library, National Archives Records Administration

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