Bolivar County GenWeb
Amnesty Applications and Oaths
Even while the Civil
War was in progress, the federal government offered amnesty to Confederate
citizens in an attempt to encourage loyalty to the Union and to begin the
process of reconstruction. The
Confiscation Act of 1862 authorized the president of the United
States to pardon anyone involved in the rebellion. The Amnesty
Proclamation of December 8, 1863, offered pardons to those who
had not held a Confederate civil office, had not mistreated Union prisoners,
and would sign an oath of allegiance. Another limited amnesty that targeted
Southern civilians came into effect on May 26, 1864.
On April 9th 1865,
when Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia to Gen.
Ulysses S. Grant, the men and officers were "allowed to return to their
homes, not to be disturbed by United States authority so long as they observe
their paroles and the laws in force where they may reside." This
stipulation allowed Confederate soldiers to return to their homes without the
threat of trials for treason.
President Andrew
Johnson provided for amnesty and the return of property to those who would take
an oath of allegiance under the Amnesty Proclamation of May 29, 1865. However, former Confederate government
officials with the rank of colonel and above from the Confederate army or
lieutenant and above from the Confederate navy, and people owning more than
$20,000 worth of property had to apply for individual pardons. Though it was
difficult for ex-Confederates to ask for a pardon for something they did not
believe had been wrong, thousands did ask for and receive amnesty from
President Johnson.
On Christmas Day 1865,
Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all Civil War participants except
high-ranking military and civil officials. In May 1872 the Congressional
Amnesty Act gave the right to hold office again to almost all Southern leaders
who had been excluded from public office by the 14th Amendment.
Alexander B. Bradford
Mrs. Jane P. Curry
Lafayette Jones
John J. Pettus