Alfred Castleman requests a pardon August 28, 1865

To His Excellency Andrew Johnson, President of the United States

I Alfred Castleman aged 69 years, a farmer by occupation and a resident of Clarke County Virginia, most respectfully represent that I desire to obtain a pardon and frankly state all the facts in relation to my position. I have held no office under the Confederate or state government since the commencement of the rebellion and have never been in the Army. I had two sons in the United States Army one of whom was killed, and two in the Confederate Army. After the battle near Snicker's Ferry or Castleman's Ferry as it is sometimes called, in July last, there was a Hospital for U. S. wounded soldiers, established in my neighborhood and I waited upon them and furnished proper love for them. It is due to truth and cander, to state that I was a Southern man, and my emphathies were with my native state, and alltho I took no part in the war, I desired that the Confederates should succeed, and I who for the Ordinance of Secession. I have remained quietly at my farm attending to my own affairs, and have not taken a prominent part in the unhappy strife. I have taken the Amnesty with, which accompanies this ?????? and I intend in good faith to observe it, and hope to lead a quiet law abiding life for the remainder of my days. My taxable property is estimated at more than twenty thousand dollar, but I am with considerably less than at the commencement of the rebellion. I do not know that I have done or said any thing which should justly subject me to punishment of my property to confiscation, but friends in whose opinion I have confidence have ?????? me that it is best for me to ask for a pardon, and as I wish not to be disturbed in my old age. I most earnestly and respectfully ask that you will grant me a pardon. ??? ???? Your ?? servant Alfred Castleman August 26, 1865 Clarke County to int J M Pulliam a Justice of the Law in and for this country aforesaid in the state of Virginia, do ?????? certify that Alfred Castleman whose name is signed to the ?????? Letter for a pardon, made with ???? me in my county aforesaid, that the facts stated in said ?????? are true to the best of his knowledge and belief.

Given under my hand this 28 day of August 18 1865 M Pulliam JP 

We the undersigned residents of Clarke County Virginia, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Alfred Castleman who has signed the ????? ????? for a pardon, that he is a gentleman of veracity, whose statements may be relied upon and we believe that the facts stated in the ????? are true. Given under our hands this 28th day of August 1865 ?.P. Pendlet??? Wm McGuire ????? Shepherd Gallahan, Jefferson Co. M Pulliam ?????

If my pardon shall be granted, please endorse it to me at Winchester Virginia to the care of P. Williams, as there is no post office at Berryville in Clarke County near to which I reside.

A. Castleman

( I tried my best to transcribe the handwriting. This letter is found on 3 separate images that were gathered from Fold3.com )

Alfred Castleman (1795-1880)

Alfred Castleman (1795-1880) was the father of Osborne David Castleman (1826-1903)

Alfred Castleman married Margaret Lucinder Milton on September 29, 1825, in Frederick, Virginia. 

Alfred and Margaret had 9 children.

1. Osborne David Castleman
2. Nathaniel Green Castleman
3. William Alfred Castleman
4. Mann R Page Castleman
5. Mary Elizabeth Castleman Fletcher
6. Edward Prebble Castleman
7. Portia Roumania Castleman Dorsey
8. John Randolph Castleman
9. Charles Fremont Castleman

Alfred died on April 22, 1880, of an aneurysm in Battletown, Clarke, Virginia. He lived to be 84 years old.

At the age of 19, Alfred Castleman served in the War of 1812 in Captain Taylor's Regiment. He was a surveyor and a farmer and grew up living at the Runnymeade Farm in Berryville, Virginia. Alfred married his wife Margaret Lucinder Milton on September 29, 1825.

Many of his sons served in the military. His son, Nathaniel G. Castleman, served in the Spanish-American War in 1846 and later for the Union Army during the Civil War. William Alfred Castleman died at the Battle of Antietam in Sharpsburg, Maryland. Edward also died during the war when he was thrown from a horse. Edward served underneath "Stonewall Jackson" and fought in the First Battle of Bull Run. He later deserted and joined another company.

Mann R Page Castleman and John Randolph Castleman also served during the Civil War but fortunately survived. John Randolph Castleman served underneath Mosby in the 43rd Battalion, Virginia Cavalry.

John Randolph Castleman is number 75