Item No. SQ5519712

This is an interesting Civil War document from 1865. It is a loyalty oath signed by William F. Pratt, who had been captured as a member of the 20th Alabama Infantry. He was fourth son of Absalom Pratt (the Absalom Pratt House at Brierfield Ironworks is an Alabama State Historic Site). Pratt was imprisoned at Fort Delaware, where he signed this form on June 17, 1865, following the war’s end. It is stamped “HEAD-QUARTERS FORD DELAWARE. DEL.” in the lower-right corner. The reverse has some unrelated handwriting that’s difficult to make out. Something about Meridian, July, rations, and S. Platt on one portion and a Captain’s endorsement about “Transportation furnished at Ashby Station” on another portion.

The oath measures about 7 3/4” x 5”. It is in good condition with a small hole where folds meet and slight deterioration at the edges. Minor toning. Creases where originally folded.