• President Andrew Johnson Pardoning Rebels at the White House, White House Collection
    Harper's Weekly
    military
    Civil War
    White House Collection
    This wood engraving was published in "Harper's Weekly" of President Andrew Johnson pardoning former Confederates at the White House. Johnson's decision to pardon Confederate rebels came in May 1865, shortly before his plan for Reconstruction policies in the United States. While there were exemptions to the proclamation, these pardons were generally for any Confederates who had not held office during the war, had not ascended above the rank of colonel in the army or lieutenant in the navy, and owned less than $20,000 worth of property. This policy upset many Republicans who believed that Johnson was far too lenient on the South for its rebellion against the federal government.
  • Lincoln's Second Inaugural, 1865
    Allyn Cox
    inauguration
    This mural depicting President Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address on March 4, 1865 was painted by artist Allyn Cox. The center scene in the mural shows President Lincoln on the steps of the East Portico of the just-completed United States Capitol. Seated behind Lincoln is Vice President Andrew Johnson and standing next to Johnson is Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Salmon P. Chase. This historical image of the inauguration is buttressed by a painting of a Civil War-era soldier on the left, symbolizing sacrifice in the name of freedom and reunification, and an African American voter on the right, reinforcing the strength of the 15th Amendment and the right of African American men to vote. This mural resides in the Cox Corridors of the Capitol. Cox painted numerous murals throughout the Capitol and completed the "Frieze of American History" in the Capitol Rotunda that was originally started by Constantino Brumidi in 1878.
  • Andrew Johnson, White House Collection
    Eliphalet Frazer Andrews
    portrait
    official portrait
    White House Collection
    painting
    This oil on canvas painting of President Andrew Johnson was done by celebrated portraitist Eliphalet Frazer Andrews. As Abraham Lincoln's vice president, Johnson succeeded to the presidency after Lincoln's assassination in April 1865 and left office on March 4, 1869. Johnson is one of only two US Presidents to serve in Congress after leaving the White House, the other being John Quincy Adams. Johnson served in the Senate. He had served as governor of Tennessee prior to his time in the White House.