United States, Civil War Confederate Applications for Pardons - FamilySearch Historical Records

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United States Civil War Confederate Applications for Pardons, 1865-1867 CID1936545 {{{CID2}}} {{{CID3}}} {{{CID4}}} {{{CID5}}} {{{CID6}}} {{{CID7}}} {{{CID8}}} {{{CID9}}}
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United States
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Record Description
Record Type	Pardons and Amnesty Oaths
Record Group	RG 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office
Collection years	1865-1867
Microfilm Publication	M1003. Case Files of Applications from former Confederates for Presidential Pardons ("Amnesty Papers"), 1865-1867. 73 rolls.
Arrangement	Alphabetically by state then by name.
National Archives Identifier	656621
FamilySearch Resources
United States Guided Research
United States Record Finder
Research Tips and Strategies
United States Civil War 1861 to 1865, Part 1
Confederate Amnesty Records
Begin a search for confederate records
Locating a Confederate Civil War Soldier (1861–1865)
Related Websites
NARA Reference List Pardons and Amnesty Records
NARA Records of Southern Civilians
NARA Collection Description M1003
NARA Reference Reports Pardons and Amnesty Confederate Citizens
Archive
National Archives and Records Administration

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 (formerly Footnote).

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.

Related Publications

• Carolyn McGough Rowe. Index to individual pardon applications from the South 1865-1898.Pensacola, Florida : Bodree Printing, 1996. FHL 973 M22rc
• Pardons by the President : final report of the names of persons who lived in Alabama, Virginia, West Virginia, or Georgia, were engaged in rebellion and pardoned by the President, Andrew Johnson. Washington, D.C. : House of Representatives, 40th Congress, 2nd session, Executive document no. 16, December 4, 1867. 1 v. reprint. Bowie, Maryland : Heritage Books Inc, 1986. FHL 973 M2par

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What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:

• Petitioner Name
• Date
• Place or Residence
• Fold3 (Footnote) ID
• NARA Roll Number

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Research Helps

The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the United States.

• US Military Basic Search Strategies
• Beginning Research in United States Military Records
• Beginning United States Civil War Research
• Locating a Confederate Civil War Soldier (1861–1865)
• United States Guided Research
• United States Record Finder
• Research Tips and Strategies

Related Family History Library Holdings

• Case files of applications from former Confederates for Presidential pardons ("Amnesty papers")

Related FamilySearch Historical Record Collections

• United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Land and Property Records, 1865-1872

Citing This Collection

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