| Provided courtesy of Kyle S. VanLandingham |
| MOSES E. BARBER'S APPLICATION FOR PRESIDENTIAL PARDON, 1865 Source: "Petition of Moses E. Barber," September 15, 1865, Case Files of Applications of Former Confederates for Presidential Pardons, 1865-67, record group 94, M-1003, roll 15, NA. To his Excellency Andrew Johnson President of the United States Washington, DC. The petition of Moses E. Barber a citizen of Columbia County in the State of Florida respectfully showeth: That believing that he may constructively be deemed within the thirteenth exception of your excellency's proclamation of 29th May 1865, He makes this application for special pardon, so as to place him self in his rightful position, and obtain the rights of citizenship again, and for cause of extenuation begs leave to state that at the commencement of the rebellion he was a farmer and large stock keeper, or cattle man, that he was always a union man, and bitterly opposed to nullification or secession, and in his quiet way used every effort in his power to influence his friends and neighbors to vote against secession; and he has never during the rebellion voluntarily participated in said rebellion but having a large stock of beef cattle, and the protecting shield of the United States Government being removed from him as the whole country where his stock ranged was within the bounds and under the military control of the so called Confederate States, and he without the means of resistance to them, his cattle were impressed and he was forced to deliver them up for the use of its Army, much against his will. His whole stock of cattle were seized by them, and he was not permitted to sell to any one else, or even to select the cattle he could spare, or was willing to dispose of, by which a loss was entailed upon him of over one hundred thousand dollars at the lowest gold valuation. He further says that in consequence of the occupation by the so called Confederate Army of the Country in the vicinity of his home, and the operation of the two armies consequent thereon he has also sustained heavy losses in the destruction of his homestead plantation and crop growing thereon, amounting to at least forty thousand dollars. He is now and always has been loyal in his principles and attached to the government and principles of the Constitution of the United States, and promises if pardon is awarded him to hereafter always conduct himself as a good and loyal citizen in every respect. And therefore humble prays that executive clemency may be extended to him, and that he may be permitted to take the oath prescribed by your excellency's proclamation, and resume his rights and duties as a citizen of the United States, and your petitioner will ever pray &c. Moses E. Barber Sworn to before me Sept. 15th 1865 at Lake City Fla. A. A. Knight, Lt. 34th USCT. & A.P.M. _____ The Pardon Application was recommended by Florida Provisional Governor William Marvin. |