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.

Click on the 3 thumbnails individually to enlarge for viewing.

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".

Click on the thumbnails individually to enlarge for viewing.

$1,100.

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.

(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.

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.

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. 

Click on thumbnails images at left individually to enlarge.

CSA #7, pair 5¢ blue tied SOUTHERN EXPRESS CO. / KNOXVILLE, TENN. / AUG / 3 double circle, on cover to “Mrs. E. A. Jordan, Davisboro, Washington Co, Geo” with pencil manuscript”Paid R E”, faint diagonal cover crease affecting right stamp and cover slightly reduced at right, Very Fine and Scarce use

France to New Orleans, August 1861, Folded letter from Paris to New Orleans with sender's route instructions "for Adams & Co Express N.Y.", France 80¢ Napoleon tied by diamond of dots, "Paris 4e/24 Aout 61" double-circle datestamp, red "PD" in frame handstamp, red "New York Paid 15 Sep. 11" credit datestamp, received in New York after termination of express routes, sent to U.S. D.L.O. with "Dead Letter Office P.O. Dept" double-oval backstamp, ms. "Recie le 28 Juin 1862" indicating the letter finally reached address after U.S. forces occupied New Orleans in April 1862, some wear and ink erosion, still Fine, accompanied by a check in addressee's hand which matches docketing on back, a fascinating use, intended for thru-the-lines express mail but eventually delivered by the U.S. post office, Ex-Gunter  $2,000

Click on thumnails at left individually to enlarge

Oath of Allegiance, printed form headed "Headquarters, United States Forces/Provost Marshal's Office, Chester, S.C." and filled in "Sept 09, 1865"; Mary Simpson swears to "henceforth faithfully support and defend the Constitution of the United States … made during the existing Rebellion with reference to the emancipation of Slaves. So Help Me God." Sworn to and signed by the Lieut. & Ass't Provost Marshal, slight translucent stain toward bottom, A rare piece of Americana. $270.

(Capt.) Wm. K. Bachman, German Light Artillery, a hand written document executed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1861 by Capt Wm. K. Bachman as commander of Bachman's Company of German Light Artillery, Hampton's Legions and bears the signature of Bachman.  $250.

Before the close of the Civil War, this battery commander would lead his South Carolina Company as the hard fought Hampton's Legions left their mark on such battlegrounds as the Seven Days Battles, Second Manassas, South Mountain, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg and at Gettysburg where as part of Hood's Division 1st Corps, Capt. Bachman's battery fought gallantly firing toward Meade's Union center in support of Pickett and Pettigrew. In the fall of 1863 Bachman's Co. of 'German Light Artillery' returned to South Carolina. Here Capt. Bachman and his brave mounted artillerists would fight out the war participating in the Carolina Campaigns with Wright's Div. Dept. of S.C., Ga. & Fla. Surely they would look back longingly to the early war days when the battery could claim possession of an abundance of such stores as were so dutifully recorded in these early war documents.

ADAMS EX. CO. / * LOUISVILLE, KY. * JUL / 10 / 1861 bold cds with "10" inverted,U.S. 3¢ dull red #26 cancelled by blue grid, matching LOUISVILLE KY /JUL / 11 / 1861 dc on thru-the-lines cover to New York City, ms. "40/1" express charge (40¢), faint toning, stamp with diagonal crease at bottom left, Fine, rare without any indication of Confederate origin or postage paid, Ex-Roser, Gallagher & Walske with 2001 P.F. certificate $1,250.

U.S. 3¢ rose #65, uncanceled and overlapping edge of faulty cover at bottom left. Envelope addressed to  “William T Shepherd CSA, Co. B, Squad 3, Paducah [Kentucky] Care Walter Stebbins CSA Co __  Cairo, Ill” Routing at top by writer “Walter please forward immediately [to] Shepherd”. See http://www.taylorsbattery.org/battery_then.htm - a picture of 5 men in Taylor's Battery, organized in Cairo in 1861. The caption indicates shows William T Shepherd and Walter Stebbins together in uniform. Stebbins was cousin to Shepherd and they  served in Co. B Squad 3 of the Illinois 1st Light Artillery. Shepherd’s letters were published after the war: To rescue my native land: the Civil War letters of William T. Shepherd. Cario was on the border of Kentucky, mostly in Union hands in that area. Why it is addressed “C.S.A.” is a bit of a mystery; these are clearly Union men, although there is was also a William Shepherd in the Confederate 7th Kentucky Cavalry.  $60.

CSA #10, 10¢ blue frameline with full frame at top, tied on cover by MOBILE / ALA double circle cancel on cover to “Miss Fannie Levich Care of W. E. Levich, Berzelia, Georgia” with manuscript notation across the top “Forwarded by Louisiana Committee at Mobile”. See my column on the subject at http://www.webuystamps.com/ASDOCT09.pdf (a copy of which is included). In May of 1863, Union General Banks ordered the deportation of all New Orleans citizens who had refused to take the oath of allegiance to the United States. Approximately 700 families from New Orleans moved to Mobile with little but the clothes on their backs. Prominent citizens of Mobile organized the Louisiana Relief Committee to supply food, medical care, shelter and transportation for these refugees. They also assumed the handling of mail for them from approximately June 1863 until early September 1864. Such covers are very coveted with less than 20 recorded. Only three are recorded with framelines. A rare and very desirable use. $6,500. Also listed in the frameline section.

Impression from the original Archer & Daly steel plate. The cracked steel plate was in the possession of August Dietz and this impression was included as the centerpiece of the deluxe version of his 1929 opus, The Postal Service of The Confederate States of America.  The soft piece of steel shows an intaglio of Archer & Daly’s 10¢ and appears to have served as a matrix for trial impressions of the 20¢ transfer roll as well as parts of a 20¢ note of the Planters Insurance Trust and Loan Company. Archer & Daly produced a number of Southern banknotes. There is a faint bend at one end of the impression. A wonderfully collectible showpiece. $150. Also listed in the CSA #11 and 13 sections

Baltimore Section and Columbus Section of Ten Cent Altered plate – proof of each on opposite sides of paper. The altered plates, the 2¢ and the 10¢, were shipped through the blockade to Richmond. De La Rue did not print any stamps from these plates. When the plates arrived in the Confederacy, they were never used by the Confederacy. The subsequent history is speculation. One theory is that they were stored at the Archer & Daly printing facility in Atlanta and were captured by the North with the fall of the city. Another is that they may have been in Richmond and captured when that city fell. Supposedly, a federal soldier captured the 10¢ altered plate and cut it into sections to give as Rebel souvenirs to friends. Frank Baptist, who printed the 5-cent stamps for Archer & Daly in 1862, positively identified the plates. He superintended the souvenir printings of the Altered Plate. The "Columbus Section" was so called because it was moved to the Ohio State Museum in Columbus. Through the years, there have been many printings from various sections of the original plate. The Columbus Section is one of the most well known and common, the Baltimore section much more scarce. $100.

Also listed in the CSA #6 section

Click on thumbnails at left individually to enlarge. You will immediately note the differences in the two sections / sides - see the "notches" at left on the Columbus section.

Confederate Letter just after cessation of combat headed “HdQrs District of Carolina, Columbia, April 22nd 1865” addressed to Major John Jenkins, 3rd S.C. Cavalry writing to say “that the agreement for a cessation of hostilities does not interfere at all with the collecting and reorganizing absentees & deserters, or any other matter of detail within our own lines. Very Respectfully Yr Obt Servant Wm W. Harne Major & C.S. & A.A.A.G.” Military records show the 3rd SC as mustered out only days later on April 26, 1865 at Durham, NC. Wonderful historic military letter. $350.

Charleston Arsenal, Autograph Letter Signed, "F.L. Childs Major C.S.A. Comdg" 1p. quarto. datelined "Charleston Arsenal, S.C., Sept. 28, 1862" and addressed to General Thomas Jordan and reads "In reply to your communication of this date I have the honor to state that I require the services of Corporal Jno. Kaufmann for repairing and cleaning arms, in which capacity he has for years been engaged at this Arsenal. He was in my employ until a few months since when he enlisted in the Army and now desires to return to the Arsenal. I need mechanics very much to perform the work expected from this Arsenal and when I find suitable men in the Army I must either have them or leave much important work undone.", Very Fine. $475.

Quartermaster's Department, Charleston, S.C., printed letterhead "Head Quarters./Quartermaster's Department., Charleston 1861" with manuscript date "March 15th", with short note, “There are 108 shell straps at the store house, and will be shipped to you by the morning boat.”, signed “By order J.M. Hatch, QMG, SCM; Andrew Harllee, Asst.", small tear at top, Very Fine.  $200.

Adams Ex. Co. * Louisville, Ky. * Jul. 27, 1861, date inverted, circular datestamp on 3¢ Star Die entire to Wilmington Vermont, blue PAID and "10" handstamps of Nashville Tenn. without town marking, 3¢ dull red #26 affixed over Confederate markings, tied by grid and blue LOUISVILLE / KY / JUL / 27 / 1861 double-circle datestamp, slight bend thru stamp, fresh and Very Fine - a lovely South to North express use, ex Nunnelley and Schwartz. $3,000.

Carte de Visite of Robert E. Lee by E. & H.T. Anthony. The waist-length image of Lee in uniform is a little light and background is uneven, with a couple small edge chips to photo. From a CDV album that belonged to Miss Nora du Rack of St. Louis, Missouri in the 1860s. $220.

Thomas, George H (1818-1870) Union general, called the "Rock of Chickamauga." War-date Autograph Telegram Signed "Geo. H. Thomas / Maj. Genl U.S.A. / Comy," on "U.S. Military Telegraph" form, 1 page, 7½ x 5¼ in., Headquarters D.C., By Telegraph from Nashville, Nov. 29, 1864. To Maj. Gen. Scofield, near Columbia Via Frank[l]in. "I have a report from the N.W. R.R. that four Regements of Forrests Cavalry have crossed Duck river below Williams pont. Have you any such information." Thomas wrote instructions to put the telegram into code, "Cipher" at upper left. Fine; affixed at left margin to a larger sheet. On Nov. 29, CSA General John Bell Hood crossed the Duck River and converged on Spring Hill., hoping to cut off the escape of Union forces. Schofield reinforced his troops and held off Confederate attacks, then slipped away during the night to Franklin. Nathan Bedford Forrest commanded the cavalry under John Bell Hood during Hood's Tennessee campaign (Nov.-Dec. 1864).  $900.

Handcarried wallpaper cover of gray, white and hot pink floral design, addressed to attornies in Vicksburg, Miss “per S. Neblett”. The notations on the back indicate that this was carried into besieged Vicksburg outside of the mail. The reverse has pencil "I refuse to a receipt of an assignment of the Forney case. S. N." Ink on the reverse indicates "Important--Forney Case." If this was intra-Vicksburg, it is likely the address would not be so complete. $400.

Incoming blockade-run folded letter, run over by the Fox, Nassau to Charleston 1864, the second of eight inward runs to Charleston, privately carried to Charleston where that city oval STEAM-SHIP was applied and the letter was rated "12" cents postage to Richmond (ten cents postage plus two cents ship fee), Very Fine, with 1979 C.S.A. certificate. The Fox, 325 tons, was sister ship to the Lucy, purpose-built at the same Liverpool shipyard. Also contracted to Fraser, Trenholm & Co., she survived the war. William Gray correspondence. Two letters on one sheet of quarto-sized paper, one headed headed London May 26th 1864 from John K. Lilliat to David N. Kennedy, Esq., Marietta, Georgia and the other to the same but dated Liverpool 27 May 1864 from J. B. Phillips in different hand. Fascinating content regarding “news of dreadful carnage and destruction in Virginia the armies of the Confederacy are ever in the ascendant and after 3 years of dreadful and devastated war the Southern States are in a better and stronger position that when they commenced. But very fearful to contemplate this awful loss of life & England especially nearly and deeply interested in the results of the struggle must more than any other be affected by events disastrous to a country with which she had been so long associated in very close social and commercial relations. You well know that our entire sympathies go with the success of your Government in this , their life and death struggle.” Also a great deal of business news regarding cotton and tobacco and the blockade difficulties.  $3,500.

Appomattox Court House Parole dated April 10, 1865. Confederate Pass for paroled prisoner signed by Major James M. Crow at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, one page light blue lined paper, 7.75" x 4.25", Very Fine.  $3,750.

The day following General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House, Major James M. Crow, 9th Alabama, writes a pass for this Confederate chaplain, who had been a Union prisoner. "The bearer M.L. Whitton (sic), Chaplain 9th Ala Regt. A Paroled Prisoner of the Army of Northern Virginia has permission to go to his home and there remain undisturbed. - Jas. M Crow - Maj(or) Commdg 9th Ala, - Forney’s Brigade" Darkly penned and signed. Light show-through of stain on verso; vertical folds. A handwritten pass, unlike the normal printed form, is very unusual and penned only for noncombatants such as this chaplain. This is a remarkable Civil War document that is of museum quality and importance.

Chaplain Moses Lee Whitten lived in Standing Rock, Stewart County, Tennessee in 1860. He was then 27 years old, listed as a Methodist minister and lived in Colbert County, Alabama in 1870 according to online sources. The 9th Alabama infantry, organized at Richmond in May, 1861, enjoyed the distinction of having a joint resolution of thanks given it by the Confederate Congress in February, 1864. It was engaged in the siege of Yorktown, April 5 and May 2, 1862; at Williamsburg, May 5th, and at Seven Pines, May 31st and June 1st. This regiment won imperishable renown at Gaines' Mill and Frayser's Farm, was under fire at Second Manassas, and assisted at the capture of Harper's Ferry, September 12 to 15, 1862. It was also engaged at Chancellorsville and Salem, May 1-3, 1863, and suffered very heavy loss at Gettysburg. It was in the battle of the Wilderness, May 5-7, 1864, Cold Harbor, June 1st to 12th, and fought in the trenches at Petersburg for nearly 9 months.

In Critical issues in American religious history: a reader by Robert R. Mathisen, J.J. D. Renfroe, a chaplain with the 10th Alabama, said that "Mr.Whitten of the Ninth remained at Gettysburg with the wounded."

Chicago World’s Fair Tribute to Libby Prison War Museum, and Civil War Letters, Lot of 3, Fine-Very Fine.

1. 9.25” x 6” Catalogue and Program” on the Libby Prison War Museum, 40 pages including covers, has extensive details about the removal and reconstruction of Richmond’s Libby Prison to the Chicago World’s Fair! Artifacts, historical details, and Civil War prison life are described in this booklet—a real collector’s item. Moderate toning and wear to the covers, as would be expected, but the pages are in great shape.
2. January 18, 1862 Autograph Letter Signed, “G.A. Spinney” of Camp Harris, Annapolis, MD, to his sister, 8 pages on fine-laid paper, measuring 7.5” x 4.4”, Very Fine. Concerning the day-to-day activities of the camp, but interesting commentary of Gen. McClellan, troops being sent to Port-Royal, SC, the high cost of groceries and supplies, and interaction with “Negroes who brig things round but are not allowed to come in Camp.” Light toning and a few ink smudges, but very legible and interesting letter.
3. September 28, 1862, Manuscript Pass to Williamsburg, Signed “Brig. Genl. Nagler” in brown ink on lined, fine-laid paper, “Headquarters, 1st Brigade,” Yorktown, VA, 9.75” x 7.75”, Very Fine. “Guards Will pass Mrs. Newman, Miss Susan E Woodard & Geo. P Woodard a boy of Sixteen to Williamsburg and return…” “Good for ten days” is also written across the left margin. (3 items) $900.

Liverpool MY 11 61 clearly struck circular datestamp and "19 Cents" debit handstamp on folded printed market report with letter and additional printed market report enclosure, addressed to D. H. London in Richmond Va., carried on the Cunarder Persia, departing Liverpool on May 11 and arriving in New York on May 21, "N. York Br. Pkt. 24 May 22" 24-cents due datestamp, diverted to the U.S. Dead Letter Office where "Dead Letter Office P.O. Dept. No. __ July 29" large oval datestamp was applied, blue "Baltimore Md. Jul. 30" circular datestamp on back and "Due 3" in circle handstamp on front for U.S. postage paid upon release to addressee (or his agent). Very fine. A rare transatlantic letter from England to Confederate Virginia, which was diverted to the United States Dead Letter Office after the Washington-Richmond mail route was suspended. Only three such covers are reported. On April 27, 1861, the regular water route to Richmond was suspended by the United States government, leaving only the Orange & Alexandria Railroad open for mail via Richmond. The last route through Virginia was suspended on the evening of May 23. This cover was received in New York on May 22, but did not reach the U.S.-C.S.A. border in time. It was diverted to the U.S. Dead Letter Office and held there until called for on July 29. The 24¢ transatlantic postage, plus an additional 3¢, was collected from the addressee or his agent when the letter was released. The addressee, Daniel H. London, was a prominent Richmond merchant and pro-slavery, states' rights advocate, who served as president of the Southern Rights Association of Richmond. This letter and enclosures were sent by the British firm of Eyre Evans & Co. Ex-Kilbourne and Walske. $3,000.

U.S. 3¢ Dull Red #26 canceled by blue pen cancel with BATON ROUGE / LA. / JUN / 5 / 1861 cds and matching PAID and 10 handstamps on cover to Huntington [Long Island] N.Y., from the Waller correspondence, blue pencil "10", manuscript "Recd 14th June" docketing, top edge of cover restored and one backflap added, stamp has faults. Extremely Showy. One of the last pieces of regular mail to cross the border from the Confederate States into the U.S. Mailed from Baton Rouge on June 5 and would normally have passed through Memphis, Tennessee. However, since the U.S. suspended service at that office on June 6, the letter was routed through Nashville and arrived at Louisville around June 10. It was sent north without penalty. The 10¢ C.S.A. postage paid the over-500 miles rate, and the sender affixed the 3¢ 1857 stamp to pay U.S. postage once the letter crossed the border..Ex-Everett, Gunter and Walske. $3,500.

U.S. #30A, 35)5¢ Brown and 10¢ Green straddle-pane margin, minor perf toning, tied by grid cancels applied at New York, red "New York Paid 12 Jun. 25" credit datestamp, red "Etats-Unis Serv. Br. Pkt. Calais 9 Juil. 61" transit datestamp and red "P.D." in frame, Paris and Bordeaux backstamps, carried on Cunarder Arabia, departing Boston on June 26 and arriving at Queenstown on July 6. Folded cover with part of letter from Albin Rochereau, a merchant and battalion chief in the French Legion, an organization of French citizens in New Orleans who defended the city during the Civil War, Rochereau's embossed corner card and docketing confirm place and date of origin, addressed to Bordeaux, France, carried north by Adam's Express (no markings since it was carried inside another envelope), A colorful and choice cover sent from Confederate New Orleans to France, using Adams Express to cross the lines. Although Adams Express Company typically put mail into the post office at Louisville, there are examples of mail that was carried by Adams all the way to New York City without any express markings. Such covers can only be identified as Confederate in origin by the contents, as in this prime example. Signed Ashbook, ex-Walske. $4,000.

U.S. 3¢ Star Die entire #U26 -  American Letter Express Co. southbound to Mann S. Valentine in Richmond Va., sender's routing "Via Nashville, Tenn.", manuscript "Collect Chgs 55¢ Due Winston & Johnston" and "Pd 2/- Ch" (two bits, or 25¢ express fee), This originated in Europe, based on the two enclosures: an envelope addressed to "Mrs. E. A. V. Gray, Care of M. S. Valentine, Richmond, Va., America" and slip of paper with notation "Pay postage 30¢, Express charge 25 [Total] 55. John P. Winston". Very Fine. An outstanding Southbound thru-the lines express cover that originated in Europe and was carried by the American Letter Express Company from Louisville to Nashville . Based on the "Pay postage 30¢" notation on the enclosure, it is surmised that the original letter was mailed from Europe to the United States. It was directed to Winston & Johnston, who are listed in the 1861 Williams' Cincinnati directory ("WINSTON & JOHNSTON, John P. W. & AVm. B.J., Wholesale Dry Goods, 113 W. Pearl"). John P. Winston apparently arranged to have the American Letter Express Company carry the letter across the lines to Nashville, where it entered the C.S.A. mails for Richmond. The addressee, Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Valentine Gray, was the daughter of Mann S. Valentine and the wife of William Gray. Later in the war, letters were sent by blockade runners from Europe to Mann S. Valentine, Elizabeth A. V. Gray and William Gray. Special Routes Census No. S-AX-26. Ex-Walske. $2,500.

Incoming blockade-run use from Germany via Nassau:CHARLESTON / S.C. / JUN / 29 / 186- (1863) bold cds and "STEAM-SHIP" in oval handstamp with pencil "12" rate (10¢ plus 2¢ ship fee) on folded letter datelined "Bremen 3d June 1863" transmitting duplicate of Feb. 14 letter and tobacco sales report, from H. H. Meier & Co. to James Thomas Jr., prominent Richmond tobacco merchant, thin paper with slight ink erosion and small splits otherwise Very Fine. $3,500.

Carried on Cunarder Scotia, dep. Liverpool Jun. 6, 1863, arr. New York Jun. 16; then Cunarder Corsica, dep. New York Jun. 20, arr. Nassau Jun. 24; then blockade-runner Fannie dep. Nassau Jun. 24, arr. Charleston Jun. 28. The Fannie was owned by the Importing & Exporting Company of South Carolina (William C. Bee); active May 1863 to April 1865, 20 for 20 in successful trips; survived the war.

Incoming blockade-run use from Bermuda: 10¢ blue #11, large margins all around, tied by CHARLESTON / S.C. / MAR / 29 [1864] cds on cover addressed to “G[ustavus] A. Myers, Richmond Virginia”, endorsed "AP[proved] Walker" at lower left, reduced about -3/4 inch at right, Very Fine. A rare blockade-run cover from Bermuda. One of the few recorded covers bearing the name of Norman S. Walker, the Confederate agent. Addressed to Gustavus A. Myers, the acting British consul in Richmond. $3,000.

Major Norman S. Walker was the senior Confederate agent in Bermuda from February 1863 until June 27, 1864. The yellow fever epidemic caused him and his family to leave the island; his wife and children for England, and Major Walker to the Confederate States on government business. After an abandoned effort to establish Halifax as a principal port for blockade-running, Major Walker and his family traveled to Bermuda and eventually returned to England (source: Rev. William Parkes, "Per Walker: Major Norman S. Walker and Bermuda Blockade Mail", Confederate Philatelist , May-June 1982 and July-Aug. 1982, Nos. 207-208). Several covers are recorded with a notation at lower left that has been variously read as "P. Walker" (Per Walker), "Ap Walker" (Approved Walker) or "NS Walker" (Norman S. Walker). The endorsement and address are in identical writing, which is similar to samples of Walker's hand, but it is uncertain why Major Walker would have signed these covers.

Incoming blockade-run use from Nassau to Milledgeville Ga. via Wilmington. Pristine cover addressed to Gov. Joseph E. Brown in Milledgeville Ga., manuscript "Ship Letter" endorsement but no postal markings, indicating hand-carriage from port of Wilmington, receipt docketing "Receipt for freight on Steamer Charlotte, Nov. 1864", with original enclosure (few small tape stains) datelined "Nassau N.P. 2 Dec. 1864" from J. C. Bailie, who worked for Adderley & Co. in Nassau, reporting on shipment of goods on steamer Charlotte. Carried on blockade-runner Blenheim, dep. Nassau Dec. 2, 1864, arr. Wilmington Dec. 6. The Blenheim was active Oct. 1864 to Jan. 1865, 4 for 5 in successful trips; captured by the U.S.S. Tristram Shandy at Wilmington on Jan. 25, 1865. Ex-Walske. $2,000.

Outgoing blockade-run use from Savannah Ga. to Rome (Italy) via Charleston and Nassau. Mar. 19, 1863 origin date on cover to Mrs. John Lorenzo Locke in Rome, in care of Baring Brothers (bankers), entered British Mails with red "Nassau Paid MR 27 63" circular datestamp, 12p double 6p packet rate paid in cash, red crayon "10" credit (2p retained by Bahamas P.O.), red London (May 4) transit datestamp, May 11, 1863 receipt docketing, minor edgewear, Very Fine. Carried by blockade-runner Gertrude, dep. Charleston Mar. 23, 1863, arr. Nassau Mar 27 (last voyage before its capture); in Nassau forwarder prepaid double 6p packet rate to G.B. (just before increase to 1sh on Apr. 1, 1863); forwarded under cover to Rome with no further markings; carried on Cunarder British Queen, dep. Nassau Apr. 12, arr. New York Apr. 16 (last sailing on this route); then Cunarder Africa, dep. New York Apr. 22, arr. Queenstown May 3; the Gertrude was active Feb. 1863 to Apr. 1864, 2 for 3 in successful trips; captured by U.S.S. Vanderbilt, flagship of the Flying Squadron, on Apr. 16, 1863, near the Bahamas, but well away from the Confederate coastline. $2,000.

Outgoing blockade-run use from Savannah Ga. to Rome (Italy) via Charleston and Nassau. May 19, 1864 origin date on cover to Mrs. John Lorenzo Locke in Rome, in care of Baring Brothers in London and Parkenham & Hooker in Rome, entered British Mails with "Bahamas MY 30 1864" backstamp, manuscript "2/" due comprising 1sh packet postage plus 1sh penalty (accounting at lower left, Bahamas P.O. retained 7p of 2sh), red London receiving backstamp (Jun. 27), delivered to Baring Brothers, who re-mailed it at nearby Lombard Street post office, red "Lombard Street Paid JU 28 64" circular datestamp, red "PD" in oval and manuscript "1/10" prepaid rate (double 11p to Italy via France), Calais transit datestamp (Jun. 29), Paris (Jun. 29) and Rome (Jul. 4) backstamps, Jul. 4 receipt docketing, Very Fine. A remarkable array of postal markings on this cover, which was handled by two different forwarders and mailed once in the bahamas and a second time in England. $2,000.

Incoming blockade-run use from England into Charleston S.C. to New York via Nassau. Narrow cover addressed to Miss Sabina E. Wells at New York City street address, entered British Mails with red "Nassau Paid SP 12 64" circular datestamp, red crayon "4" pence rate, "N. York Br. Pkt. 5 Oct. 1" integral-rate circular datestamp with 5c due for British Packet mail, slight toning and edgewear, couple minor creases, Fine, the Wells correspondence originates in Charleston, based on New York Oct. 1, 1864, arrival date, carried on blockade-runner Fox, dep. Charleston Sep. 9, 1864, arr. Nassau Sep. 12; then Cunarder Corsica, dep. Nassau Sep. 25, arr. New York Oct. 1; the Fox was owned by Fraser Trenholm & Co.; active May 1864 to May 1865, 18 for 18 in successful trips; survived the war. $1,300.

Outgoing blockade-run use from Petersburg Va. to London via Wilmington and Nassau. Folded cover to N. M. Rothschild & Son in London, receipt docketing "1864 Chieves & Co. 5 Feby." and pencil "Petersburg Va.", Chieves & Osborne was a Petersburg tobacco merchant and American correspondent with Rothschild & Son in London, entered British Mails with "Nassau-New-Providence AP 8 1864" rimless datestamp (Ty. N2) on back, unpaid with bold "2/-" due handstamp, comprising 1sh packet postage to England and 1sh penalty fee, blue crayon "1/5 + 7 = 2/" accounting (1p plus half of penalty retained by Bahamas P.O.), red London receiving backstamp (May 2), file fold and a few bleached spots, couple tiny edge tears otherwise Very Fine. A striking outbound blockade-run cover from Petersburg to London via Wilmington and Nassau, addressed to the famous Rothschild banking firm. Ex Ludington (written up in London Philatelist, March-April 1963) and Walkse. $2,500.

Carried by blockade-runner Coquette, dep. Wilmington Apr. 1, 1864, arr. Nassau Apr. 5; then Cunarder Corsica, dep. Nassau Apr. 11, arr. New York Apr. 15; then Cunarder Persia, dep. New York Apr. 20, arr. Queenstown Apr. 30. The Coquette was owned by the C.S.A. government; active Nov. 1863 to Feb. 1865, 13 for 14 in successful trips; survived the war.

Trans-Rio Grande cover from Brownsville to Tampico, Mexico. Folded letter with receipt docketing "Brownsville Abril 7 de 1863 / Jose San Roman / Recibide Abril 17 de 1863", addressed to Tampico, Mexico, carried across the border and put into the mails at Matamoros, "H. MATAMOROS / ABRIL 6" framed datestamp, "FRANCO" straightline, some skillfully reinforced wear at top and bottom otherwise Very Fine.  An extremely rare Trans-Rio Grande cover outbound from the Confederate States to Mexico -- considerably rarer than inbound covers. The "H" in "H. Matamoros" stands for "Heroic", a title awarded to the city after it was successfully defended against invading forces in 1851. Illustrated in Special Routes (p. 161). Ex-Judd, Murphy and Walske. $2,500.

Fort Brown Tex. to Kassel, Germany. Buff cover from Confederate officer Albert Moye to his mother in Kassel, pencil receipt docketing "d. d. Matamoros I 62" (Jan. 1862) gives date and place of origin, no forwarder markings, entered mails with red "Zeebrief Rotterdam 11/7 1862" (Jul. 11) oval datestamp, "Emmerich/Oberhausen 11 7 W" framed datestamp and "Cassel 12/7 1862" receiving datestamp on back, postage due from addressee with various rate markings in blue manuscript. A rare cover from a Confederate officer at Fort Brown, Texas to Germany, carried across the Rio Grande to Matamoros, then under cover to Rotterdam where it received the ship-letter entry marking. Without markings applied en route, it is impossible to determine how this cover reached Europe. It was received at Rotterdam as a private ship letter ("Zeebrief") and entered the mails to Germany. Ex-Walske. $2,000.

Set of 15 cards of the entire set of Confederate general issue stamps (3 ½ by 5 ½”),  printed by August Dietz, fresh, Very Fine set $200.

Also listed in the CSA #1 section

Weldon, NC September 11, 1861 headed 4-page soldier’s letter with transcription as follows: My Dear Wife, We have at last arrived at this the most contemptible place that ever greeted my eyes in the Confederate States. We left Wilmington at 6 o'clock A.M. and arrived here at 4/2 P.M. - being two hours too late to make the connection on the Richmond train and so we will have to lie over here until 3 o'clock tonight. We were heavily loaded, hence our delay. It has been exceedingly tiresome indeed. The dullness, however was somewhat. relieved by several acquaintances who happened to be aboard. Capt. D. J. Bailey joined us at Florence, SC. He is going to VA to tender to the War Department the services of a Regiment that he has about made up. Wiley Patrick, unfortunately, got out to buy some watermelons and was left. In attempting to get aboard, he received a very violent fall. Whether he received any serious injury, I am unable to say. He will rejoin us tonight. Until then I have to look after his men as well as my own. One of my Recruits was somewhat sick last night with something like crampcholic. No physician aboard and you may know I was uneasy. We will get to Richmond tomorrow morning between 8 and 10 o'clock and then I hope to have time to write you a letter instead of these little disjointed disconnected notes. Darling, I went to the Brown House to supper and looked at the place where we ate breakfast together and the room we occupied. I don't know when any circumstance has so nearly succeeded in wholly overcoming me and rendering me a mere child. It seemed that I was bidding farewell to every thing associated with my dear little wife. Darling, I have thought of you so much since Monday. Scarcely anything else has received (*) my attention. *("claimed" was crossed out and replaced with "received'') My little wife, I want to see you just as much as I did before I went to Geo. and if possible, it seems to me more. Every time I am with you, I love you more and so I suppose I do really want to see you more than I did before. I can't write more now. Did you receive notes from Macon and Kingsville? Receive a whole heart full of love from your husband. (S. C. Mitchell – known correspondence – to his wife Chloe Bartlett Mitchell) $120.

Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard carte-de-visite ¾ pose in full uniform (pre-war U.S.), arms crossed, by Anthony, New York, Very Fine $150.

Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard carte-de-visite ¾ pose in full uniform (pre-war U.S.), arms crossed, couple little chips at top otherwise Fine $60.

Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard carte-de-visite ¾ pose in full uniform (pre-war U.S.), arms crossed, couple little chips at edges otherwise Fine $60.

“Bolton’s Depot [Mississippi] Dec 31st 1862” headed 4-page letter from “Frank” to his wife saying, in part, “I was in Vicksburg but had to return as I was assured that it was not possible to reach there…I had great longing to be at home with you before the coming of the Yankee bloodhounds but I am almost crazy to be at home since they are so near. I pray that they have not been in our neighborhood…It is the general opinion that the Yankees will not remain long near Vicksburg. There has been severe fighting near Vicksburg daily since last Tuesday. In each contest great success has been ours and the prospect is that such will continue to be our fortune. Indeed, dearest, we have cheering news from every quarter.” Also indicates his illness is of the typhoid type and he is laid low and that he will return to Selma, Alabama as soon as he is well enough unless the Yankees are repulsed and he can get to Yazoo City to do woodworking. $125.

“Fort Warren March 18th / 64” headed prisoner-of-war letter (no cover) from Captain Frank M. Battle, 21st Tennessee Cavalry. Letter written to Mrs. Susan L. Taylor of Newport, Kentucky, a philanthropist to Southern soldier incarcerated at Northern prison camps. Letter transcribed in full and expresses shame in having to asked for charity saying that “you wrote to me kind and encouraging letters and appeared to me more like my own Mother than a stranger…none of my relatives were allowed to send me anything, no Express being allowed to pass from Nashville to Confederate prisoners”  $850.

Frank M. Battle entered Confederate service as a private in Company B, 20th Tennessee Infantry, serving with that regiment until his discharge for disability October 15, 1861. After his health improved, he joined the service again, this time in the cavalry as a scount under Gen. Joseph Wheeler. There are some very interesting articles published in the Confederate Veteran about his exploits. One tells how he donned women’s clothing to go into Nashville to spy on the Yankees and another when he personally accompanied Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest into battle. In July 1863, Gen. Wheeler gave Capt. Battle permission to raise a Cavalry company in middle Tennessee. By July 29th, Battle had recruited eighty men when he was captured in Wilson County, Tenn. He was first sent to the military prison in Louisville, KY, then to Johnson’s Island October 13, 1864 and on Feb 19, 1864 he was transferred to Ft. Warren in Boston Harbor. There, he was placed in close confinement in irons and held as hostage for a Yankee POW, Capt. S. Harris, 3rd U.S. Cavalry being held in irons at Knoxville, Tenn., convicted of being a spy. Battle remained for eight months this way until President Davis finally yielded to the exchange after heavy pressure from old family friend Gen. John C. Breckenridge and some Tenn. congressmen. When he returned to Richmond after his echange in the spring of 1865, Gen. Breckenridge gave him a commission in the command of Gen. N.B. Forrest with whom he surrendered in Gainesville, Alabama.

State of North Carolina January 1865 Tax Receipt: partially printed tax receipt received of J. M. Strickland, signed as received by tax collector, State of North Carolina, District No. 9.     $35.

1872 Grant-Wilson Presidential Electioral Ticket (Tennessee) showing U.S. Grant of Illinois for President, Henry Wilson of Massachusetts for Vice President. Shows electors for state at large, congressional districts, governor, congress and state senator.  $75.

1838 Tax (Slaves) Receipt: 1 5/8” x 6 1/4” partially printed tax receipt of Adam Licklider signed by P.A. Mitchell, Deputy for David Henton, S.R.C. Taxes for 1838. Showing revenue on 2 tracts of land, slaves at 30 cents, horses at 8 cents and county and parish levy at 87 ½ cents with manuscript on back $75.

SOUTHERN EXPRESS Co / N.Y. blue double circle on long double leaved folded letter to Mr. Henry A. Land, 7th Regiment N.Y. Vols, Engineer Corps Co K Care of L. D. Winchester, Esqr, Quartermaster, Washington, D.C. from his mother in Brooklyn May 23, 1861 expressing concern for his welfare from possible attack in Washington and the need of him at home in case anything happened to Father because he would be looked to to take care of the family business. That she feels he would be in more difficult position because he is not educated for the army (she radiates understandable maternal concerns) and does not advise him to enlist in the war effort when he returns home. He did join the 48th NY as a private and was promoted to Captain by the end of the war. Scarce Express use $1,000.

Officer’s Letter to an unidentified General Officer: long railing 3-page letter docketed as from Lieut. Miles W. Lewis of Hancock [Georgia] to “Dear Gen.” headed “Camp Etowah, Rome Ga Oct 8th 1863” first giving the election report and then launching into an articulate and heartfelt missive: “I feel saddened in reference to our prospects as a nation than I ever have in my life…but I fear that the Government (or rather its agents) is pursing a course that will end in our starvation & annihilation on the one hand or on the other hand I fear if we avoid this we will lose our liberties in achieving our independence. Look at the Provost Marshals & guards all over this county – an office unknown to our Constitution & laws….it is excused on the grounds of necessity. This is always the plea of tyrants. What good do they do? Do they ever arrest a spy? Never. Do they arrest desserters? Never. And now if they disregard military law (not martial law) would effect all this, if inforced. Now to the subsistence question, our military authorities are pursuing a suicidal policy...I wish to get a position in which I can be of more service to the Conty than I possibly can be in the Army. I am unfitted by nature for military life, both physically and mentally…I apply to you and to Gov[ernor] Brown conjointly for some such position.” The letter goes on and on reviling the government, politics, and the future of the Confederacy, giving examples of why things won’t work out. The only Miles W. Lewis shown in military records enlisted 4-1-62 as a private in Co. D, 22nd Georgia Infantry and died of his wounds in Gettysburg 7-22-1863. This writer signs as “Lieut M. W. Lewis Co. C, Mills Reg[iment]. Rome Ga” $300.

Small Book by Subscription – 2¢ per ounce: RICHMOND / VA / FEB / 27 [1864] cds on Les Miserables, Jean Valjean, 174 pages plus separated cover, 5¾" x 9"’; postmarked title page; small bit of front cover and entire back cover missing, minor evidence of smoke damage (no odor) on last page, otherwise Fine. The fact that the postmark was placed inside the front cover would indicate that the book was sent at the prepaid subscription rate. For a monthly publication, the rate was 2½¢ per quarter for the first ounce plus 2½¢ for each additional ounce, for a total of 10¢ for this 4 oz. book. Since this was not likely a monthly publication, the rate was 2¢ per ounce for a total of 8¢ prepaid. Ex Brian Green and Ron Cipolla, Quite Rare. $1,500.