Abraham Lincoln’s Pardon: Joe Biden’s Great-Great-Grandfather’s Story

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Joe Biden’s family history took an unexpected turn when it was revealed that his great-great-grandfather, Moses J. Robinette, received a pardon from President Abraham Lincoln. The discovery was made through old documents found in the National Archives by the Washington Post, shedding light on this intriguing connection between two prominent figures in American history.

The Pardon

Moses J. Robinette, a civilian veterinary surgeon for the U.S. Army during the Civil War, found himself in a heated altercation with another Union Army worker at the Army of the Potomac’s winter camp in Spring 1864. The dispute escalated, leading to accusations of assault, inciting a dangerous quarrel, and violating good order and military discipline. Although he was initially charged with attempted murder, this charge was eventually dropped.

The Trial and Pardon

During the trial, Moses defended himself, claiming that his actions were in self-defense and that he harbored no malice towards the other party. Despite being convicted on multiple counts, including assault, he was sentenced to two years of hard labor at a prison in the Dry Tortugas islands near Key West, Florida. However, his time there was short-lived as influential army officers advocated for his release, prompting President Lincoln to review the case. After careful consideration, Lincoln deemed the punishment excessive and ultimately granted Moses a pardon, leading to his release after just a month of incarceration.