Letters of Recommendation for Sgt. Edward J. Granniss

(A day late for "Amanuensis Monday!")

From Maj. Alex M. Speer, of the 46th Georgia Regiment. Dated 26 March 1862, recommending appointment of Sergeant E. J. Granniss:

Via Fold3.

Macon, Geo. 26 March 62
Hon R. P. Trippe

Dear Sir -
As you are aware, probably the 2d Georgia Battalion (Majr Hardeman) will soon go out of service, and I deem it not inappropriate, as I enter the service again to speak of some of those with whom I have been associated for the past eleven months.

I learn there are some vacancies here among the commissioned officers of the 1st Geo. Regulars, and it may be there are other positions to which those worthy & competent might be assigned by our Govt, to the advantage of the service.

In view of this, I most earnestly recommend for a commission Sergeant Edward J. Granniss of Company D, of the 2d Georgia Batt. Sergeant Granniss has now been in the service nearly 12 months, and has proved himself a meritorious and highly efficient officer and I have no question that is he could receive the appointment, that he would render valuable service.

He is well drilled, prompt, faithful and of fine habits and it would be a great gratification to his many friends in Macon if he were promoted.

It is true you are not our immediate Representative, but I feel that recommending & urging such an application you would not limit your exertions [3 words?] in Favor of those of your own District, especially as with to many of our citizens you are better known than our immediate representative, and many of them would apply to you with more confidence of success than to others. I feel anxious to see those who went at first call receive the reward of their promptness and fidelity and I know of no one to upon whom such a favor could be more worthily bestowed than the gentleman I refer to. If you could aid him it will be greatly appreciated by one who appeals to you in his behalf, and who would look to you for aid as confidently as any one in our Delegation.

I am Very Truly
Alex M. Speer
Majr 46 Geo Regt

From Col Robt A. Smith of the 44th Georgia Regiment. Dated 24 March 1862, recommending appointment of Sgt. E. J. Granniss:

Via Fold3.

Macon, Geo. March 24th 1862

I take pleasure in earnestly recommending Sergeant Edward J. Granniss of Company "D," 2nd Georgia Battalion, as highly qualified and competent to fill a commissioned office, and recommend that he be appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the "1st Georgia Regulars" or any other Regiment in the Confederate States Service.

Sergeant Granniss is well drilled in the School of the Soldier & School of the Company and is an excellent Instructor in both. He has some knowledge of the Battalion drill and during the last eleven months I found Sergeant Grannis to be one of the best instructed and most intelligent non-commissioned office in that Battalion.

He has sustained a moral character for many years and will fill a commissioned office with credit to the country.

Very Respectfully
Robt A. Smith
Col commdg
44th Ga Regiment

Edward J. Granniss received his commissioned office and climbed to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He was killed little more than a year later, at the age of 22, at the Battle of Gettysburg. He rests in Rose Hill Cemetery at Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.

Thomas Ledbetter's Reconstruction Oath of 1867 (Amanuensis Monday)

A bit of background from Ancestry:

The Reconstruction Acts of 1867 required Southern states to ratify the 14th Amendment, draft new state constitutions, and register voters, both black and white. In order to vote, men had to swear an oath of allegiance to the United States, and some were disqualified for their participation in Confederate government posts.

[--Begin Transcription--]

No. 416

STATE OF GEORGIA,
   COUNTY OF Rabun } PERSONALLY APPEARED before me this 7th day of ___ 1867, Thomas I. Ledbetter who states that he resides in the 636 Election Precint of Rabun COUNTY, GEORGIA, and who makes the oath as follows:

   "I, Thomas I. Ledbetter do solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God, that I am a citizen of the STATE OF GEORGIA; that I have resided in said State for twelve months next preceding this day, and now reside in the County of Rabun in said State; that I am 21 years old; that I have not been disfranchised for participation in any rebellion or civil war against the United States, nor for felony committed against the laws of any State or the United States; that I have never been a member of any State Legislature, nor held any executive or judicial office in any State, and afterwards engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof; that I have never taken an oath as a member of Congress of the United States, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State Legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, and afterwards engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or given aid and comfort to the enemies thereof; that I will faithfully support the Constitution and obey the laws of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, encourage others so to do. So help me, God."

T. I. Ledbetter signature

   The said Thomas I. Ledbetter further swears that he has not been previously registered under the provisions of "An act supplementary to 'an act to provide for the more efficient government of the rebel States' -- passed March 2, 1867 -- and to facilitate restoration," under this or any other name, in this or any other Election District; and further, that he was born in South Carolina and naturalized by ___ on the ___ day of ___, 18__ in the ___

T. I. Ledbetter

SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED before me [cannot make out name]

Register of the 40^th Registration District.

[--End Transcription--]

Thomas Ledbetter was born 2 September 1817 in South Carolina. By 1850, he was residing in Gilmer County, Georgia with wife Elender (b. 16 August 1825) and a couple of children. In 1860 and afterwards, he could be found farming in Rabun County. Elender passed on 29 November 1897, and Thomas followed 25 March 1889. They both were laid to rest side by side in the graveyard of Blue Heights Baptist Church at Mountain City, Rabun County, Georgia.

Thomas Ledbetter (b. Sept 2, 1817, d. Mar 25, 1889)
Elender Ledbetter (b. Aug 16, 1825, d. Nov 29, 1897)

Our loved ones have gone home.

Photo © 2011 - 2013 S. Lincecum

Complete source for above:

Georgia, Returns of Qualified Voters and Reconstruction Oath Books, 1867-1869 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Original data: Georgia, Office of the Governor. Returns of qualified voters under the Reconstruction Act, 1867. Georgia State Archives, Morrow, Georgia. Georgia, Office of the Governor. Reconstruction registration oath books, 1867, Georgia State Archives, Morrow, Georgia.

Samuel Felder's Confederate Application for Presidential Pardon (Amanuensis Monday Tuesday)

Yesterday I posted a transcription of Edward Lewis Felder's Confederate Application for Presidential Pardon. Today I will bring you his father's. Samuel Felder was born 24 November 1796 in South Carolina, possibly a son of Henry Felder and Margaret Standmeyer. In 1860 he was living in Houston County, Georgia with a combined real and personal estate valued at $107,152. He was the owner of twenty slaves.

Samuel's son (Samuel Felder, Jr.) enlisted and fought with Company C, Georgia 6th Infantry Regiment. Samuel, Jr. died from wounds 1 June 1862, most likely in Virginia as a result of the Battle of Seven Pines.

[Pg 1, Left Side]
Houston Co Georgia
Aug 16th 1865

Felder Samuel
Citizen

Applies for Pardon

_____ Dist of Columbus
Macon Georgia
Aug 16th 1865
Respectfully forwarded
Jno Thorton
Brig Genrl U.S.V.
Comdry

[Pg 1, Right Side]
Houston County
Georgia
Samuel Felder
_____ application for pardon

Executive Office
Provisional Govt of Geo
Milledgeville, Sep 8, 1865
This applicant makes what I believe to be an honest confession of his great sorrow in favoring the secession of Georgia. He is represented as a reliable and conscientious man, and certainly takes a proper view of the results of the war. So, I believe he will in future make a peaceable & loyal citizen. I recommend his pardon.
J. Johnson
Pro Gov of Ga

Eli Warren Atto for applicant & his address is "Fort Valley
Houston County
Georgia"

[Pg 2]

Perry, Houston County, Georgia
August the 12th 1865,

To His Excellency Andrew Johnson, President of the United States -- J.C.

I am a citizen of Houston County Georgia, residing in the town of Perry. I am Sixty eight years old & have a wife & five living children - I am excluded from the benefits of the Amnesty Proclamation of your Excellency of the 29th May last and under the 13 chapter therein only & Because I was a voluntarily participant in the late Rebelion of the South against the United States - and was on the said 29th of May & am now worth in taxable property over the sum of Twenty thousand ($20,000) dollars besides slaves, and respectfully ask that your Excellency grant me a special pardon, that being the only exception in said proclamation _____

The government of the United States has no property of min it its possession -- nor am I aware of having any property of the Government of the United States in my possession -

No proceedings have been commenced against me in any of the courts of the United States for Treason - or for conspiracy against the Government of the United States - so far as I know, or believe or ever heard of -

I am neither a politician or professional man and never held a civil or military office in my life except some 40 years ago I was a Justice of the Peace, - I ever & always have been a farmer and have devoted the most of my time & attention to that business -- And I know less about the Constitution & political matters than those [Pg 3] should know that have made them their study. An unfortunate strife has long since existed between the North & the South upon the slavery question -- Many leading politicians of the South professed to believe - & so assured the people, that for Georgia or the slave states to secede from the union would put an end to that strife, be a complete remedy for that evil -- That it was a rightful & peaceable remedy, that instead of causing a war between the two sections that it was a measure of peace between them - & would result in good to both North & South - because it would restore & establish peace between the two sections. -- This was what many of the leading politicians in the South assured the people -- Those to whom I had been in the habit of looking for advice on political matters & who had my confidence assured me that no war - but peace between the two sections on the slavery question would result from secession - and confiding in their opinions & judgement on the subject of secession & wishing to see the strife so long & so unhapily existing between the North & the South on the slavery question put an end to - & that to peaceably - I was for that cause, in favor of Georgia's seceeding from the Union - & so voted for members of the Convention that passed the Ordinance of Secession. -- In giving that vote, I am satisfied that I at least made a great mistake - for I was deceived as to the effect of secession upon the peace of the country - & my conduct in that regard I regret. ~

But what assumed to be a Confederate Government having soon thereafter been established - I then felt it to be [Pg 4] right to aid to some extent the country of my residence in the war that it seems so unexpectedly to me, resulted from or _____ out of secession -- In this though I never took up arms or in any way entered the service of the Confederate States - so called - but did contribute something in money & supplies to sustain the confederate soldiers in the field - this I did though to a limited extent. ~

But the war has terminated disastrously to the South & I most heartily wish it never had commenced & I pray your Excellency to grant me a special pardon as I desire to be restored to all the rights & privileges of a citizen of the United States. ~ I recognize the fact that slavery is dead & cannot be revived -- I have taken an Amnesty Oath hereto attached & will in good faith conform to all the obligations thereby imposed.
I am very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
SamL Felder

Georgia
Houston County

Before me personally came Samuel Felder of said county & state and being duly sworn says on oath that the facts stated in his foregoing petition are true. ~
Sworn to & subscribed before me, this August 12th - 1865
W. T. Swift Ordinary
Houston Co Ga

Samuel died a couple of years later on 3 October 1867. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery at Perry, Georgia. His epitaph states he was A Baptist 40 Years.

Edward Felder's Confederate Application for Presidential Pardon (Amanuensis Monday)

Edward Lewis Felder was born 3 May 1826 in South Carolina to Samuel and Ann Felder. In 1860, he was living in Houston County, Georgia and was the owner of thirty slaves. Here is a transcript of his Confederate Application for Presidential Pardon:

[Pg 1, Left Side]
Application for Special Pardon by Edward L. Felder
of Houston County State of Georgia
Within 13 Exception
Sept 28 / 65
Worth over $20,000
Perry, Geo

[Pg 1, Right Side]
Executive Officer
Provisional Govt of Geo
Milledgeville Sep 2 1865
I recommend pardon & amnesty for this applicant, as I am satisfied from his character and petition, he will prove a peaceable, loyal & useful citizen.
J. Johnson
Pro Gov of Ga

[Pg 2]
Application for Special Pardon
State of Georgia
Houston County
Town of Perry
August 26th, 1865

To His Excellency Andrew Johnson
President of the United States

The Petition of Edward L. Felder respectfully showeth that he is a resident citizen of said county and state, that he is thirty nine years of age, that he has a wife and six children, and that he is excluded from the benefits of Amnesty Proclamation of May 29. Eighteen Hundred and Sixty five. only by reason of his holding property of the value of Twenty Thousand Dollars, though Petitioner is _____, but little if any over that amount.

Your Petitioner respectfully showeth that none of his property is in possession of the United States Government and that no proceedings have been instituted against him in any of the courts of the United States, for treason or conspiracy against the Government of the United States.

Your Petitioner further showeth that in Eighteen Hundred and Sixty, he voted for delegates to the state conventions to consider such measures as might be necessary, to [redress? reduce?], what all professed to _____, grievances to the South. with the understanding however, that said delegates were not in favor of secession, as the only remedy. And your petitioner [Pg 3] now sees that secession was a great and fatal mistake. Your Petitioner has never been in the service of the Confederate States, and fully recognizes the authority and dignity of the United States and acquiesces in its policy.

Your Petitioner has informed his former slaves that they are free, and made a fair and liberal contract with them, which has been approved by the Commandant of this post. and realizes and acknowledges the fact, that slavery is forever extinguished.

Your Petitioner has already lost greatly by the war.

Your Petitioner has taken and subscribed the oath hereto attached and will faithfully observe its obligations, and desires to be restored to all the rights and privileges of a citizen of the United States. Therefore your Petitioner prays that your Excellency may grant him a Special Pardon, and your Petitioner will ever pray & c & c.

E. L. Felder
Petitioner

(Affidavit and Amnesty Oath over.)

[Pg 4]
State of Georgia
Houston County

Ordinarys Office in & for said County

I Edward L. Felder of said county and state do swear before Almighty God, that the facts stated in the foregoing petition to which my signature appears are true.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th day August 26th 1865.
W. T. Swift
Ordny Houston County Georgia

Apparently, Edward was able to maintain his lifestyle even after the war, as the 1870 Houston County, Georgia federal census shows his real estate plus personal estate combine to be valued at $72,000.

Edward died 25 August 1872 and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery at Perry, Houston County, Georgia.