United States, Civil War Confederate Applications for Pardons, 1865-1867
Applications for pardons,1865-1867, submitted to the President Andrew Johnson by former Confederates, excluded from the proclamation of May 29, 1865. The case files include affidavits, oaths of allegiance, recommendation for clemency, and other papers. This collection is part of RG 94, Records of the Adjutant General's Office,1780s - 1917 and is National Archives Microfilm Publication M1003. Index courtsey Fold3.
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United States, Civil War Confederate Applications for Pardons
What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of applications for pardons, 1865-1867, submitted to President Andrew Johnson by former Confederates excluded from the proclamation of May 29, 1865. The case files include affidavits, oaths of allegiance, recommendation for clemency, and other papers. This collection is part of RG 94, Records of the Adjutant General's Office,1780 - 1917, National Archives Microfilm Publication M1003. The index is courtesy of Fold3.
During the Civil War, Federal officials recognized a need for new laws to deal with the rebellious acts of large parts of the Southern population. Congress passed acts on July 31, 1861 (12 Stat. 284), and July 17, 1862 (12 Stat. 589), that fixed penalties for the lesser crimes of "conspiracy" and "rebellion." The second act also provided for future pardon and amnesty "to any persons who may have participated in the existing rebellion . . . with such exceptions and at such time and on such conditions as he may deem expedient for the public welfare."
The first amnesty proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on December 8, 1863. It extended pardon to person taking an oath to support the Constitution and the Union and to abide by all Federal laws and proclamations in reference to slavery made during the period of the rebellion.
National Archives Related Collections
Records of the Adjutant General's Office RG 94
Records of the Provost Marshall RG 110
- Oaths of Allegiance Taken in Arkansas, Kentucky, and Texas, 1862–1865
- Certificates of Oath and Parole, 1863–1865. District of Virginia
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Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.
What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:
- Petitioner's name
- Petition date
- Residence
Collection Content
Inventory
For a list of all the titles included in this Historical Records publication see United States Civil War Confederate Applications for Pardons - Inventory.
Collection Details
Location of Original Records
National Archives and Records Administration
"United States, Civil War Confederate Applications for Pardons, 1865-1867." Database. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 19 February 2025. From "Case Files of Applications from Former Confederates for Presidential Pardons ('Amnesty Papers'), 1865-1867." Database. Fold3.com. http://www.fold3.com : n.d. Citing NARA microfilm publication M1003. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1977.
