Text of President Andrew Johnson's Executive Order Appointing John A. Bingham as a Special Judge-Advocate for the Prosecution of President Lincoln's Accused Assassins

May 7, 1865

On May 7, 1865, President Andrew Johnson issued an executive order appointing John A. Bingham as a special judge-advocate for the prosecution of President Abraham Lincoln's accused assassins.

Andrew Johnson, President, USA, Civil War, LOC 3a53290

President Andrew Johnson. Image Source: Library of Congress.

WAR DEPARTMENT

Brigadier-General Holt, Judge-Advocate-General, having designated the Hon. John A. Bingham as a special judge-advocate, whose aid he requires in the prosecution of Herold and others before the military commission of which Major-General Hunter is presiding officer:

It is ordered, That the said John A. Bingham be, and he is hereby, appointed special judge-advocate for the purpose aforesaid, to aid the Judge-Advocate-General, pursuant to the order of the President in respect to said military commission.

By order of the President:

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

Citation Information

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  • Article Title Text of President Andrew Johnson's Executive Order Appointing John A. Bingham as a Special Judge-Advocate for the Prosecution of President Lincoln's Accused Assassins
  • Date May 7, 1865
  • Author
  • Keywords Andrew Johnson, John A. Bingham, Abraham Lincoln
  • Website Name American History Central: The Encyclopedia of American History
  • Publisher American History Central
  • Producer R.Squared Communications, LLC
  • Date Published
  • Last Update February 27, 2025
  • Access Date October 10, 2026

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