Andrew Johnson Pardons Confederate Charles P. Crandall

A 1p partly handwritten and partly printed document registering the presidential pardon of former Confederate private Charles P. Crandall, and signed by Crandall at center as "Chas P Crandall." Crandall's loyalty oath was recorded by Notary Public F.F. Kirby in Washington, D.C. on May 27, 1868. With an embossed notary public seal at lower left. Crandall's signature is slightly smeared. Expected wear including flattened paper folds, and two clerical holes along the top, else near fine. 8" x 10."

The document reads in part:

[printed] "Whereas, ANDREW JOHNSON, President of the United States, did, on the 7th day of September, A.D., 1867, issue a Proclamation proclaiming full pardon to certain persons engaged in the late rebellion, condition upon taking and subscribing a certain oath therein set forth and hereto attached and herein inserted … NOW THEREFORE, in order that the undersigned may receive the benefit of said Proclamation he makes oath as follows:

'I [manuscript] Chas P. Crandall [printed] do solemnly swear, (or affirm,) in the presence of Almighty God, that I will henceforth faithfully support, protect, 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 late rebellion, with reference to the emancipation of slaves. So help me God.

[signed] Chas P. Crandall."

The National Park Service Soldiers and Sailors Database lists two viable candidates for our pardoned Confederate, Charles P. Crandall; the candidates might even be the same person, as they were both privates from Virginia. Charles P. Crandall was affiliated with the 1st Regiment of Virginia Artillery, organized on September 1, 1861; and Captain Daniel Shank's Company of Virginia Horse Artillery. Horse artillery units were often attached to cavalry companies and provided the era's fastest, most mobile form of artillery support available: carriage-mounted lighter weight cannons pulled by horses.

On September 7, 1867, President Johnson issued the Second Amnesty Proclamation. This was just the latest iteration of a succession of presidential pardons extended to wayward Confederates; Lincoln had issued two, on December 8, 1863 and March 26, 1864, and Johnson had issued his first on May 29, 1865. Whereas Johnson's First Amnesty Proclamation excepted fourteen categories of individuals from blanket clemency, the September 7, 1867 proclamation restricted it to only three; those who had served in high Confederate government or military office, abused prisoners of war, or been involved in Lincoln's assassination could not partake. Johnson hoped that expanding the scope of eligibility for amnesty would further reconcile the nation.

President Johnson's September 1867 proclamations underscore the complicated nature of Reconstruction. Reuniting the nation proved a slow and agonizing process.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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