**First Time At Auction**

North America, United States, Alabama, Civil War era, ca. 1864 & 1865 CE. A pair of documents from the American Civil War both pertaining to the Confederate soldier, Rufus Monroe Deshazo. The first is a letter of pardon from Shelby County Alabama signed in August 1865 by Deshazo. In May of 1865, President Johnson issued a proclamation that Confederate soldiers of colonel rank or higher had to sign a document as an oath of allegiance. The oath reads "I, R.M. Deshazo do solemnly swear or affirm, in presence of Almighty God, that I will henceforth faithfully support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Union of the States thereunder. And that I will, in like manner, abide by and faithfully support all laws and proclamations which have been made during the existing rebellion with reference to the emancipation of slaves, so help me God." Size of paper: 7" L x 5" W (17.8 cm x 12.7 cm); frame: 7.75" L x 5.75" W (19.7 cm x 14.6 cm)

Behind the oath, contained in the modern glass frame, is a paper envelope, perhaps from a later time to store the document. The frontside is handwritten with two names, including a Carl Deshazo, and the location Birmingham, Alabama. This is certainly an interesting reminder of the great divide America experienced, and still reverberates to this day. The other document is a paper letter of promotion handwritten by the Confederate Colonel of the 20th Alabama Regiment during the American Civil War. The colonel is Edmund Pettus, who unfortunately survived the war to become a politician and a Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon during reconstruction. This document was proof of promotion for Rufus Monroe Deshazo from the rank of lieutenant to captain in the same regiment. All is professionally mounted in a modern wood and glass frame. A copy of the note is handwritten with a more legible script in modern times and attached to the verso. Size of paper: 8.12" L x 5.6" W (20.6 cm x 14.2 cm); frame: 9.3" L x 12" W (23.6 cm x 30.5 cm)

Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection

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#162200

The pardon paper has creases and fold lines. Loss to lower left corner of paper. Small tears and perforations through the center and edges. Some staining and discoloration. Handwritten signatures are faint but somewhat legible. The printed type is clear and legible. The included envelope has tears to edges and flap. Stains and perforation to frontside. All is mounted in a modern frame. The promotion note has tears and loss to lower periphery. Creases and folds. Age discoloration and minor staining. Handwriting is legible. Professionally displayed in modern frame. Handwritten note on verso is written in modern times with clearer handwriting.