Abraham Lincoln autograph note signed, January 6th, 1865. "…Let these men take the oath of Dec. 8, 1863 & be discharged. A. Lincoln, Jan. 6, 1865." Written entirely in Lincoln's hand and signed as President, this note allowed three Confederate soldiers at Camp Douglas prison in Illinois to be discharged after taking an oath of loyalty to the Union. The "Oath of December 8, 1863" granted Confederate prisoners their freedom in exchange for a pledge never to rejoin the Confederate Army and a swearing of allegiance to the Union. Lincoln wrote this note on the reverse side of a letter asking that three citizens of Madison County, Kentucky be released from prison: James, Harvey, and George Ellison of the 7th Ky. Cavalry. The letter states that the three men had been imprisoned for 17 months and were anxious to take the oath and return home. $8,495.
