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Philip Roddey Autograph Letter Signed to Andrew Johnson Requesting a Pardon with Related Documents. ...
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Description
Former Confederate general Roddey requests a pardon from President Johnson
Philip Roddey Autograph Letter Signed to Andrew Johnson
Requesting a Pardon with Related Documents. Seven letters and
documents related to the pardoning of Confederate General Philip
Roddey from the years 1865 and 1866; with additional letters and
ephemera (approximately 15 additional pieces). Most significant in
the group is Roddey's letter to President Johnson (one page, 8 x 9
¾ inches; Tuscaloosa, Alabama; June 13, 1865) requesting a pardon
as his current status prevents him earning a living or traveling
across state lines. He writes: "Believing it to be your
intention to pardon such Officers (non [sic]
excepted) as have acted honorably during the War, I most
respectfully submit this, my application to become a Citizen of the
United States in the same manner as parties not excepted in the
proclamation. I respectfully refer you to the Citizens of North
Alabama with regard my conduct as a Soldier in the Confederate
army, and to Generals Dodge, Granger, and Hatch, U.S.A. all of whom
have served in the vicinity of North Ala where I have been
stationed almost continuously....The absolute necessity of my
engaging in business to enable me to support my family (now without
means) induces me to urge your early attention to this."
Signed, "P. D. Roddey."Two weeks earlier, Roddey had attempted to visit Louisville, and had been denied a pass. A telegraph dated May 27, 1865 states that the terms under which Roddey had surrendered "do not permit him to go anywhere but to his home, and there to stay."
The lot includes a four-page letter from Joseph C. Bradley, a pro-Union resident of Huntsville who would later run for governor of Alabama, to President Johnson asking that he delay Roddey's pardon. Writing on July 21, 1865 he says, "Many Union men have been murdered in the Department of Genl Roddy [sic] and him & his officers, should free themselves from these crimes before clemency is extended. I would respectfully suggest to your Excellency that Roddy and all of his officers, before they receive pardons, obtain from the following gentlemen recommendations of their applications... I can assure you that I have not one particle of prejudice against Genl Roddy or any of his officers, and only desire that these officers place the guilt on those it properly belongs for the many Union men that have been hung and shot in North Ala."
By the start of the following year, Roddey had still not received a pardon; and on January 15, 1866, Governor Patton of Alabama wrote to him suggesting that he approach Johnson in person. He writes, "I would advise you to see the President in person, and represent to him the great embarrassments under which you labour without his Executive Pardo, let him understand you can be of little service to yourself or the country without his favourable consideration of your application..."
We could not determine if Roddey did as Patton suggested, but he was successful in obtaining clemency 2 months later. Included in the group are Roddey's pardon documents dated March 25, 1866 with William H. Seward's stamped signatures.
The rest of the materials relate to Roddey's cotton trading business, and two letters addressed to his daughter discussing his war service. Of interest in this group is a March 22, 1886 letter form former Confederate colonel Josiah Patterson discussing the loss of reputation their unit's officers had suffered over the years.
Condition: Roddey ALS has toning and a few spots of foxing. Patton letter has wear and toning along the folds with loss of paper in the margins. A few of the items in the accompanying material has been mounted to larger sheets.
Auction Info
2024 April 5 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6285 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
April, 2024
5th
Friday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 212
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