Joe Biden’s Ancestor Pardoned by Abraham Lincoln: A Closer Look

Joe Biden has granted numerous pardons during his presidency, but one of the most intriguing ones was bestowed upon his ancestor by none other than Abraham Lincoln. Recently, old documents were unearthed in the National Archives revealing that Biden’s great-great-grandfather, Moses J. Robinette, received a pardon in the mid-1860s. This pardon was granted after he was involved in a scuffle with a fellow Union Army coworker that landed him in jail.

Moses was working as a civilian veterinarian for the U.S. Army during the Civil War. In the spring of 1864, while stationed at the Army of the Potomac’s winter camp, he got into a fight with another fellow. Allegedly, a brigade wagonmaster, John J. Alexander, overheard Joe’s grandfather speaking ill of him to a cook in one of the tents, which led to a confrontation and ultimately a brawl. During the altercation, Moses was accused of pulling out his knife and stabbing John, resulting in bloody wounds.

Authorities arrived promptly to investigate the matter. Moses was initially charged with attempted murder, but during the trial, that charge was dropped. However, he was convicted on other counts, including assault, incitement to dangerous fighting, and violating military good order and discipline. Despite Moses claiming self-defense during the trial, he was found guilty on all charges – except for attempted murder – and sentenced to two years of hard labor in prison.

After determining where to send Moses for imprisonment, he was dispatched to the Dry Tortugas islands near Key West, Florida. Fellow army officers who knew Moses penned a letter in his defense, which eventually made its way to Lincoln’s desk. Upon reviewing the case, Lincoln felt that the punishment imposed on Moses was too harsh and decided to grant him a pardon. As a result, Moses spent only about a month in jail before being released and sent back home.

The story of Joe Biden’s ancestor receiving a pardon from Abraham Lincoln sheds light on the complexities of justice and mercy. It showcases how even in times of conflict and strife, acts of forgiveness and understanding can prevail.