State of South Carolina headed partially printed Camden Bulletin and filled out billing form for advertising dated May 1864 for $44 made out to Col. Richard Caldwell, Commissary General S.C. with two accompanying individual handwritten invoices to which are attached the proof copies of long newspaper announcements with instructions re spirituous liquors and a list of licensed and bonded agents. The backs of the newspaper clippings are as interesting, if not more so, than the front with headlines of latest news from Lee's Army, Gen. Longstreet's wound declared mortal, and many other detailed troop movements/battles of fame with commanders noted; reports signed Beauregard and Lee, news of ironclad battles, etc. In wonderful condition and truly holding pieces of history in your hands. News clippings are longer than indicated by the scans due to the limited size of my scanner bed.

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Manuscript receipt from the State of South Carolina Commissary General's Department dated Nov. 12th 1862, a bill for corn meal signed by W. Lyles noted as paid and with filing docketing on verso "Voucher No. 770".

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U.S. 3¢ rose #65 tied by target and Columbus, O. Jul 24 (1865) cds with cds of Miamiville P.O./Camp Dennison Sep 9, 1865 cds on cover to "Mr. John L. Mock, Co. A., 95th Regt. O(hio) V(olunteers) Vicksburg, Mi" which has been crossed out in red ink and redirected back to Columbus O, stamp also tied with oblong boxes "FORWARDED" and with address notation "To follow Regiment". Military records show that John L. Mock enlisted as a private at 24 years old on 8/5/1862 into "A" Co. OH 95th Infantry. He was mustered out on 8/14/1865 at Louisville, KY. He was also listed as wounded on 8/30/1862 at Richmond, KY. Promotions: Corpl 5/14/1864; Sergt 4/1/1865. Cover slightly reduced at right with repair piece at bottom right edge. Three wonderful Ellsworth collateral pieces accompany. A portrait remembrance card of "Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, Fire Zouaves, Assassinated May 24th", a trimmed to size embossed Ellsworth remembrance and a partial letter dated "Camp near Washington March 8th 1863" on Ellsworth scene. Showy and scarce combination of cover and ephemera (album remnants on verso).

Confederate Election Ballot: For President - Jefferson Davis of Mississippi/For Vice President - Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia with 18 other nominees for the State at Large. Ballot signed on the back by John M. Floyd. A wonderful piece of Southern heritage/Americana in pristine condition. Could be a wonderful historic opening to an exhibit or collection.

Unused Adversity cover made from book fly leaf of Edinburgh (Encyclopedia) “conducted by David Brewster, L.L.D.F.R.S., with the assistance of gentlemen eminent in science and literature”, “The First American Edition” (1832), Extremely Fine

Slave carried envelope endorsed by sender "By boy Grey", manuscript sender's notation on homemade cover to Tibbee Station, M&O (Mobile and Ohio) R.R., Miss., soldier's endorsement "W. H. Robertson, Co. E Col. Woods regt", Quite scarce and collectible

U.S. #U27, 3¢ star-die entire, not postally used, addressed in peacock blue ink to “Miss Mattie E. Tillman, Simpsonville, Upsher (sic – s/b Upshur) County, Texas”; handcarried as indicated by docketing at left “By the Urbanity of W. W. Turner”. Heart wrenching 2-page letter written on top of another letter, part in peacock blue ink and part in pencil. “Well do I reokerick (sic) what you did before we was married but I fear you have forgot it unless you are made to treat me as you did there is no one on earth could make me do by you as you have by me and unless I had no love for you but I love you and more than I have I am…I am broken hearted and blind with tears…” and on and on.

Texas, ALS, 2-page folio (ledger paper), Bonner's Ferry, (TX) Nov 30th 1862 datelined letter from Anna to soldier ) husband  (Allen A. Cameron, 18th Texas Infantry), she discusses Yankees being in possession of Galveston and other costal points, thinks Yankees will invade Texas, says that paper shortage necessitated using paper out of account books, small pox in Rusk of flu outbreak, Very Fine, ex Bleuler. Letter is much longer than appears here- will not all fit on the scanner bed and this is only one side of two full sides.

Handcarried pristine homemade soldier’s turned cover to “Lt. Allen A. Cameron Bonner’s Ferry, Cherokee County, Texas" with soldier docketing of "T. R. Bonner 18 Tex Infty”. Inside use is also handcarried with “O(fficial) B(usiness)” at upper right in ms, addressed to “Capt. B. M. Montain, Company C 18th Regiment Texas Genl. Walkers Division”. Four-page very articulate ALS headed “Head Quarters 18th Texas Inf near Monroe, LA Sep/11th 1864” from (Lieutenant Colonel) T.R. Bonner to “Uncle Allen and Aunt Ann”, writes about family deaths and sends letter of sympathy, mentions how many companions are now "sleeping beneath the dust of the tomb", “now in camp near Monroe on the West bank of the Washita River but are under orders to march to Camden Ark…Maj Gen Forney is here…glorious victories in Virginia. Our cavalry is said to have destroyed much roailaord in the rear of Sherman, destroying large quantities of commissary stores, etc. McClellan and Pendleton of Ohio are said to be the nominees of the Chicago Convention on the peace platform.” Thomas Reuben Bonner enlisted as a captain and was increasingly promoted until full Colonel and moved to Field and Staff. Bonner and Cameron military bios included. Ex-Bleuler  Wonderful letter. Scan only shows part of one side of the letter.

Texas, 18th Texas Infantry, ALS, 2-page octavo; from soldier/master to his slaves, undated and of unknown origination; detailing what he expects of them while his away in the army to include farming, animal husbandry, maintenance and household duties, highly unusual and rare letter; small fold splits otherwise Very Fine, “Nelson, Emilina, Tyler & Perry by being obedient and kind to your Miss Ann and mind what she tells you and taking good care of anything making all you can you will always have the good wishes of your Master Allen." Signed Allen A. Cameron. Probably included with a letter to his wife; ex Bleuler. Scan is only of the second side with quoted part and signature.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red tied VA C.R.R./COBHAM (VA) 25 May (1861) – six days before demonetization of US postage and a month after Norfolk Navy Yard fell to the Confederacy. Addressed to “Dr. John C. Gordon, Craney Island, Norfolk, Va.” Dr. Gordon was appointed an Assistant Surgeon in the 38th Virginia Infantry on June 12, 1861 (only a week after marrying Mary Beall Pegram) but resigned on November 6, 1861. Post-war he practiced in various locations in Albemarle County, Va. , back flap missing. Seldom seen canceling the stamp as this one does. 

1863 CIVIL WAR TOKEN George McClellan. CH Brilliant Uncirculated Red Brown looks MS64! A nice item!

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1863 CIVIL WAR TOKEN obverse Liberty, Rev Army & Navy. Both the "1" and the "3" in the date have been repunched. Brilliant Uncirculated lustrous brown

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(Leatherwood, Va.) “Mrs. Matilda F. Gravely Dec 2nd 1864” (Benjamin F. Gravely was postmaster at Leatherwood and owner of large tobacco farm) to frequent correspondent “C.Y. Thomas Esq, Martinsville Henry Co Va”. Either this is a handcarried envelope from Postmaster Gravely or an illegal use is was known with these correspondents; used on turned unused green embossed cameo corner card of “Alleghany Springs Virginia Booth Colhoun & Co Proprietors.” Ex-Tobias.

PRYTANIA ASYLUM, NEW ORLEANS: "Due 3" straightline, backstamped "New Orleans La. Oct. 30, 1863" double-circle datestamp and "ADV. ." ADV(ERTISED) framed handstamp on back of cover addressed to Mrs. C. M. Pritchard at Prytania Asylum in New Orleans (the second line of address is erased creating slight erosion holes), "Hd.Qrs.Defences NO Approved M.M.S." censor's mark, "New Orleans La. Oct. 21, 1863" double-circle datestamp and slightly toned, Fine, Erin Gunter described this as a cover to a Confederate sympathizer at Prytania Asylum. Most unusual and scarce item to a New Orleans Female Orphan Asylum.

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U.S. 3¢ Star Die entire #U27 used with ADAMS EXPRESS, NEW ORLEANS, APR 20, cds to New York, with embossed albino corner card of “H. A. Schuermann / New Orleans” and manuscript. 'per Adams Express' notation, 1861 docketing at left; slightly reduced at top with missing back top flap, fresh, Scarce use 

SOUTHERN EXPRESS COMPANY, RICHMOND, VA., imprint on buff cover to “J.P. Hawkins, Agt, Danville, Va.”, with manuscript 'Expense $1.55' marking; reduced bit at left otherwise Extremely Fine, Ex-Wiseman. This is an internal business company express cover. Hawkins worked for Southern Express from at least 1862 to May 1865. General Orders No. 77 dated October 22, 1862, exempted Southern Express employees from conscription. He worked as an agent on the Virginia Central and the Orange & Alexandria railroads and wrote about his wartime work. His diaries are housed in Navarro College's Pearce Civil War Collection.   Hawkins’ wartime express activity is available on historynet.com from a reprint of an article by Julie Holcomb in the May 2003 issue of America's Civil War. A wonderful and scarce use.

Letter headed “Camp on the Pegram Farm Near the Fort Welch Va Nov 27th 1864” from Private Chester E. McKinney. Also a cover franked with 3¢ rose #65 to Hoopper N.Y. but the letter is the item of worth. It is addressed to Cousin Louisa Russell with absolutely great content. Signed “Chet – Direct to Co K 179 Rgtm N.Y. S. T. Washington, DC” Indicates she likely wrote to Elmira but the postmaster has not forwarded his letters.”Today there was a Reb General taken Prisoner by our Pickets. He came over to exchange papers & one of our Captains exchanged him to our lines. So Rumor has it at least. I saw him at HeadQuarters, he is quite a smart man, or looks like one. Old Honest Abe was reelected to his old seat in the White House. I am very much pleased with the future Prospect of our Country now he is to be our Ruler for 4 years. If Macclellan had been elected shold have trembled to think of the fraud & evil doings of him & the ‘Traitors’ which are through our Country spread far & wide. If he had been elected I should have regarded the loss of all.” And so forth and so on. Quite a political missive. Full transcript and colorful multi-page exhibit writeup on him and the Battle of Pegram’s Farm (part of the siege of Petersburg) Oversize postage applies.

Handcarried cover, no doubt by military courier, addressed to “Chief Surgeon W.H. Murdock West Distr S.Ca., Asheville, N.C.” with notation “Introducing Surg. W. A. Holt”. Microfilm copy of official letter imprinted Medical Director’s Office dated Feby 11th, 1864 relieving Holt from General Hospital No. 8 Raleigh and giving him new orders. Little doubt this was the original enclosure or certainly related, now in archives. Lengthy interesting and unpublished war-time military bios accompany on both men who were both residents of NC. Pristine with wonderful history. 

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“Per Blackberry Express” manuscript routing notation on cover to “Mrs. Sarah R. Hoy, Mayo Forge, Va” which did not go through the postal system. Note on verso (Birkinbine?) that the Blackberry Express was organized by plantation owners, small tear at top and sealed flap tear. Very scarce use!