PA State Archives - AA/RG-393 - Scope and Content Note - Special Provost Marshal John Frederick Hartranft

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Pennsylvania State Archives: Affiliated Archives
National Archives Record Group 393

Records of
BREVET MAJOR GENERAL
JOHN FREDERICK HARTRANFT
as SPECIAL PROVOST MARSHAL
for the TRIAL and EXECUTION
of the ASSASSINS of PRESIDENT LINCOLN

John F. Hartranft (1830-1889) was a lawyer, soldier and politician. He was commissioned colonel of the 51st Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry, in 1861 and promoted to brigadier general of volunteers for gallantry at Spotsylvania Court House in 1864. He was promoted as a brevetted major general of volunteers for conspicuous gallantry in repulsing the enemy at Fort Stedman in 1865. On April 28, 1865 Hartranft was appointed military governor of the military prison at the U.S. Arsenal, Washington, D.C. and commander of the troops assembled for its defense. He was responsible for the incarceraton, treatment and eventual execution of the prisoners who were found guilty in the conspiracy to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln, Vice President Andrew Johnson, General Ulysses S. Grant and Secretary of State William H. Seward. Hartranft was elected as Auditor General of Pennsylvania in 1865 and was reelected in 1868. In 1872 he was elected governor and served two terms in that office. Upon the expiration of his second term, he was given command of the Pennsylvania National Guard. In 1879 he was appointed postmaster of Philadelphia and from 1881 to 1885 he served as collector for the Port of Philadelphia.

This special deposit consists of 2 volumes and 51 loose items, dated April 28 through July 31, 1865. Included are letters (originals and copies), daily reports, general and special orders, passes and vouchers. The materials detail the special arrangements, orders and routines that Hartranft oversaw and enforced regarding the treatment of the prisoners, George A. Atzerodt, David E. Herold, Mrs. Mary E. Surrat and Lewis Payne, during their incarceration, trial, and eventual execution on July 7, 1865.

Related records at the Pennsylvania State Archives include:

Record Group 10, Records of the Office of the Governor, the Governor John F. Hartranft subgroup, series #10.1, Correspondence and Issue Files, 1870-1879, consisting of 2 microfilm rolls.
Manuscript Group 144, the John F. Hartranft Papers, 1853-1897, consisting of .25 cubic ft. of commissions, appointments and certificates relating to Hartranft's various military and political positions, as well as miscellaneous family items.
Manuscript Group 461, the Hartranft-Stockham-Shireman Family Photographs, 1860-1905, consisting of .5 cubic ft. of photographs relating to the life and career of John F. Hartranft.

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