"STONEWALL BRIGADE" COLONEL KENTON HARPER'S AMNESTY OATHS, PARDON, AND RELATED DOCUMENT GROUP
KENTON HARPER (1801 - 1867) Confederate colonel commanding the 5th Virginia Infantry, a component of the Stonewall Brigade. Harper and the 5th Virginia fought at the First Battle of Bull Run, and he later led reservists in the Valley Campaigns, the Battle of Piedmont, and the Battle of Waynesboro. Lot of six items, all related to Harper's military service and presidential pardon for his activities in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Includes: partly-printed D.S., 1p. 8vo., Staunton, VA, July 13, 1865, Harper's oath of alleigiance to the swearing: "... that I will henceforth faithfully support, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States... 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...", signed by Harper in black ink. WITH: partly-printed D.S., 2pp. folio, Washington D.C., Aug. 20, 1866, Harper's presidential pardon, with President Andrew Johnson's facsimile signature, and the signature of Secretary of State WILLIAM H. SEWARD (1801-1872), in black ink. It reads, in part: "...Whereas Kenton Harper... by taking part in the late rebellion against the Government of the United States, has made himself liable to heavy pains and penalties; and whereas the circumstances of his case render him a proper object of Executive clemency; now... I, Andrew Johnson... do hereby grant to the said Kenton Harper a full pardon and amnesty..." The document has been marred by a child's scribbling (possibly one of Harper's grandchildren) in pencil over the front and back of each page, and shows moderate foxing on the second page. The first page has separated completely along its horizontal fold line, and the second page has nearly split in the same manner. Good. WITH: partly-printed document, 2pp. 4to., Seward's transmittal letter for the pardon, with his facsimile signature. Very good. WITH: a personal copy of the pardon, 2pp. 4to., written by Harper in his own hand, in which he executes his signature seven times. Fine. WITH: partly-printed D.S., 1p. 8vo., Staunton, VA, July 13, 1861, Harper's oath of allegiance to the (Union-supported) Government of Virginia, which operated from Wheeling, West Virginia during the war, signed by Harper in black ink. WITH: two rosters, each 1p. folio, kept by Harper while a captain of light infantry in the First Virginia Regiment in 1847, during the Mexican War, recording the names of the men under his command. Harper executes his name on each in black ink, browned and split. Overall good to very good.