ELMIRA, NY: US #U64, 3¢ pink Nesbitt entire canceled ELMIRA/N.Y./JAN/5 dc with Elmira POW examined oval; through the lines where received RICHMOND/VA cds and DUE 10 handstamps and forwarded on to Ridgeway, SC; docketed by "S. Gladden, Prisoner of War Elmira, NY"; war records show Silas Gladden as a private in "B" Co. SC 7th Battalion Infantry and listed as POW but date and place not stated (guess we can partially correct that record!), few small cover tears and horizontal cover crease, Nice use of US and CSA rates

Miller-Burd Correspondence: Miller held the rank of captain and served as a surgeon in Company B, 12th Cavalry, Missouri State Guard (Confederate) during the Civil War. During the war, he was wounded, captured, and imprisoned both at Johnson's Island and Point Lookout. He lost a leg as a result of the wound. He also worked as an assistant surgeon at Winder Hospital, attached to Libby prison, in Richmond during the War. Lizzie married Dr. John J. Miller after the war. His papers are in the Special Collections section of Auburn University. See the March-April 1973 issue of The Confederate Philatelist for an in depth article on this wonderful flag of truce correspondence entitled "Romance Via Flag of Truce" by Edward Greenwald. Photocopy of article available if you don't have access to it.

CAMP CHASE: U.S. 3¢ rose #65 canceled "prison bar grid" and tied with matching cancel of COLUMBUS/O./OCT/4 (1862) with manuscript Camp Chase Prisoner-of-War Camp examined markings "Exmd/Peter Zinn/ Maj Com Post" on cover to "Mrs. Dr. Alfred Hughes, Wheeling (West) Va, Handstamped censor makings were not used from Camp Chase until 1863.

Homeopathy was introduced in 1848 in Wheeling by Dr. Alfred Hughes and his sister, Eliza Hughes, one of the first female physicians. During the cholera epidemic of 1854, he labored night and day, being the only homeopathic physician in the city. Dr. Alfred Hughes was imprisoned for eight months at Camp Chase, Ohio as a political prisoner during the Civil War, as he was considered a traitor to the Union. He was released 25 Dec 1862 when he was exchanged for a brother of Dr. Pancoast, of Philadelphia, who was captured at Bloomery Gap, Va., and a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C. Dr. Hughes then went to Richmond and settled down in practice. He was elected a member of the Virginia legislature, and so remained until the fall of Richmond.

CAMP CHASE: U.S. 3¢ rose #65 canceled "prison bar grid" and tied with matching cancel of COLUMBUS/O./OCT/7 (1862) with manuscript Camp Chase Prisoner-of-War Camp examined markings "Exmd/Peter Zinn/ Maj Com Post" on cover to "Mrs. Dr. Alfred Hughes, Wheeling (West) Va, Handstamped censor makings were not used from Camp Chase until 1863.

Homeopathy was introduced in 1848 in Wheeling by Dr. Alfred Hughes and his sister, Eliza Hughes, one of the first female physicians. During the cholera epidemic of 1854, he labored night and day, being the only homeopathic physician in the city. Dr. Alfred Hughes was imprisoned for eight months at Camp Chase, Ohio as a political prisoner during the Civil War, as he was considered a traitor to the Union. He was released 25 Dec 1862 when he was exchanged for a brother of Dr. Pancoast, of Philadelphia, who was captured at Bloomery Gap, Va., and a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C. Dr. Hughes then went to Richmond and settled down in practice. He was elected a member of the Virginia legislature, and so remained until the fall of Richmond.

Camp Douglas was built as a training camp on the grounds once part of the Stephen A. Douglas estate. It was converted to a POW camp in February 1862, but reverted to a training camp in September 1862, then was used to house paroled Northern troops waiting to be exchanged. It again became a prison camp in January 1863. Confederate dead at Camp Douglas numbered 4,420.

Homœopathy was introduced in 1848 in Wheeling by Dr. Alfred Hughes and his sister, Eliza Hughes, one of the first female physicians. During the cholera epidemic of 1854, he labored night and day, being the only homœopathic physician in the city. Dr. Alfred Hughes was imprisoned for eight months at Camp Chase, Ohio as a political prisoner during the Civil War, as he was considered a traitor to the Union. He was released 25 Dec 1862 when he was exchanged for a brother of Dr. Pancoast, of Philadelphia, who was captured at Bloomery Gap, Va., and a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C. Dr. Hughes then went to Richmond and settled down in practice. He was elected a member of the Virginia legislature, and so remained until the fall of Richmond.

FLAG OF TRUCE: U.S. #65, 3¢ rose tied WASHINGTON/D.C./SEP/18/1864 double circle cancel with matching target on blue-gray cover addressed to "Miss Fannie Hunter Care Mrs. B.W. Hunter, Alexandria, Virginia" and manuscript docket of "Flag of Truce" in the same hand at upper left, 1951 signed dated letter to Raynor Hubbell from Stanley Ashbrook accompanies which states that he believes the unsealed cover originated in the south and was sent thru the lines by private carrier to Nashville where it entered the U.S. mail and was forwarded to Alexandria, tiny cover edge tears don't detract, Ex-Rudy

FT. WARREN: U.S. 3¢ pink Nesbitt entire tied by NEW YORK/JUN/24/1862 dc and target and addressed to "Comm(o)d(ore) S(amuel). Barron Care Col. I Dimmick Comdg Fort Warren Boston Harbor" with back stamp receiving BOSTON/MASS/JUNE/24 (1862). Fort Warren in Boston Harbor housed many prominent politicians and Southern sympathizers. Famous residents there included Postmaster General John H. Reagan, Vice President Alexander Stephens, Confederate commissioners, Generals Buckner, Jackson, Ewell, Kershaw and many others. Com. Barron had an illustrious career (bios accompany as well as Official Records account of his capture at Fort Hatteras). Barron endured the Union hospitality for 11 months and then returned to his duties commanding coastal defenses in Virginia before being sent to Europe to oversee construction of vessels destined for the Confederate Navy. Cover has some edge defects and tiny bit of surface erosion, but most presentable and one of the scarcer Union prisons. Harrison records 51 covers from Fort Warren.

UNION PRISON/NORTH TO SOUTH: "R. J. Sifford, Prisoner of War & member of Co. G, 52nd N. C. Troops" endorsed POW cover with a partial strike of RICHMOND, VA cds and slanted straightline DUE 10 which was applied on arrival in Richmond. The cover is addressed to "Mr. Alex McIntosh, Martindale PO, Mecklenburg County, NC." The 52nd North Carolina, known as the "Dry Pond Dixies", fought with the ANV from Gettysburg to Cold Harbor. They lost 30% of the 553 men engaged at Gettysburg and surrendered at Appomattox with only 6 officers and 60 men Private Robert J. SIFFORD resided in Lincoln County where he enlisted at age 24 on April 10, 1862; promoted to Corporal on December 11, 1862; he was wounded in the right leg and captured at Gettysburg, PA, on or about July 3, 1863; hospitalized at Gettysburg and transferred to hospital at Chester, PA, where he arrived on July 17, 1863; from there transferred to hospital at Baltimore, MD, where he arrived on or about October 4, 1863. Reduced to ranks in November, 1863 - February 1864 while a prisoner of war. Released at Point Lookout on May 14, 1865, after taking the Oath of Allegiance. Letters from Confederate soldiers held as prisoners could be received as incoming letters without Confederate postage prepaid and marked as "Soldier's Due" covers with the postage to be paid by the addressee as long as they were properly endorsed with the soldier's name, rank and unit numbers. Pristine inner POW cover that crossed the lines from a Union prison.

JOHNSON'S ILAND, OHIO: part of POW turned cover – a real philatelic tragedy. One side shows U.S. 3¢ rose with Sandusky dc and part of Johnson’s Island examined oval on back flap, addressed to Exchange Bureau in Richmond. Other side bears 10¢ greenish blue (#11) tied Richmond cds to Ayletts, Va. 

Click on images at left individually to enlarge.

POINT LOOKOUT: U.S. 3¢ rose #65 tied on five different cover fronts to Confederate prisoners of war from locations in occupied North: Onancock, Va (Eastern Shore/Delmarva Peninsula); Norfolk, Va; Beverly, West VA; Louisiana, MO; and Ohio. All with the usual red pen docketing common to this prison. All soldiers of the South with families in the occupied North. Lots of research potential here. Surnames Wise, Austin, Stark, Mason and Pratt.

FORT DELAWARE: U.S. #65, 3¢ rose canceled target canceled with matching neat Delaware City, Del Oct 8 (1864) cds and neat oval Ft. Delaware examined markings on fresh POW cover to “Miss A. E. Wheary” in Baltimore. Original 1-page POW letter headed “Fort Delaware Sept 30th 1864” to “Dear Sister” and docketed as from “W.H. Wheary” saying “had not heard from home by this boat but last evening rec’d one from Wife and Father” and asking her to send him some clothing by Express Company with permit from the Commander. Wheary is listed in soldier records as a Captain in Hood’s Battalion, Virginia Reserves, Company B. Very Fine. Only part of letter shown here.

ROCK ISLAND BARRACKS, ILLINOIS: U.S. #65, 3¢ rose canceled target cancel with matching Rock Island, Ill Nov 23, ‘64 double circle cancel and blue R.I. Barracks POW examined oval over straightline DUE 10 Confederate rate cancel. Richmond, Va. Jan 12 (1865) cds also cancels stamp. On fresh cover addressed to “Mrs. Bettie C. Dorn, Kirkeys Cross Roads, Edgefield Dist, South Carolina” with ms “Pr Flag of Truce via Fortress Monroe” at lower left. Good potential for excellent POW research. Unusually nice use of postage of both sides. Ex-Katz

LIBBY PRISON, RICHMOND, VA: U.S. 3¢ rose #65 tied OLD POINT COMFORT/VA/JAN/7 (1865) dc on south to north POW cover to “Mr. Saml Heffelfinger, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland Co., Pa” with ms pencil “Flag of Truce” with ms “Ex E.W. Ross, Cl(er)k of Prison”. Erasmus W. Ross, Chief Clerk at Libby Prison, burned to death at Spottswood House in 1873 and is buried in the famed Hollywood Cemetery. Cover with light pencil docketing of “Dec 19/62”, Very Fine. 1973 CSA certificate signed by Morris Everett, This cover was the subject of an article in The Confederate Philatelist in the March-April 1980 issue, pages 97-98, by John Kohlhepp (photocopy included) – an amusing story re prisoner Lt. Jacob Heffelfinger of the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry (twice left for dead on the battlefield only to be revived and imprisoned in the South) and employee Ross who stood only 4’10” tall in his socks.  

OLD CAPITOL PRISON, WASHINGTON, D.C.: CSA. 10¢ blue #12 (AD) (a portion at left portion restored) tied RICHMOND/VA cds with  examined marking "Passed/W.P. Wood/Supt./Military Prison" handstamp on envelope to “Mrs. Thursey Andis, Elk Creek, Mayson Co, Va.” and "Pr Flag truce via Fortress Monroe" at lower left, clean, Very Fine appearance, Ex-Bush and signed Brian Green. To show how difficult research can be, the 1870 census records note E. C. Andis, 37 years old, a farmer, married to Thursa, 30, with numerous children. A side note that “The name was written as Anders, but is in fact, Earl Carson Andis, who served in Co. F, 4th VA Inf.  His Civil War letters are presented in Grayson County: A History in Words and Pictures.  E. C. Andis married to Thursa D. Cornett, d/o Levi Cornett and Olive Hale.  Military bio (twice imprisoned – second time Hilton Head) and history of Old Capitol included. Article on this cover in the works.

ROCK ISLAND BARRACKS, ILL: U.S. 3¢ rose #65 tied target with matching ROCK ISLAND/ILL/SEP/20/’64 double circle cancel and blue oval "R.I. Barracks/Examined/Prisoner's Letter" handstamp on pristine cover addressed to “Rev. N. M. Gordon, Keene, Jessamine County Kentucky”, Very Fine, Ex-Toaspern 

POINT LOOKOUT, MARYLAND: Confederate straightline DUE 10 on cover with U.S. 3¢ rose #65 tied 3 markings: target with matching POINT LOOKOUT/MD/OCT/5/1864 dc and RICHMOND/VA.OCT 10 cds; octagonal "Prisoner's Letter/Examined" handstamp from “Private James Bridges/Co. A 5th Regt. N.C.T." to his wife in Haywood, N.C.. James Bridges enlisted on May 15, 1862 at the age of 33 as a private. He was taken prisoner 9-19-64 at Winchester and released from Point Lookout 6-3-65 when he took the oath of allegiance. Brief military bio included. 

POINT LOOKOUT, MARYLAND: U.S. 3¢ rose #65, uncanceled, on cover addressed  to “Mr. Edward B. Will, Co. B 7th Division, Point Lookout, Maryland" sent "Care of Maj. A.G. Brady", "Exchanged" in red ink, Fine

WEST’S HOSPITAL, BALTIMORE: Confederate handstamped straightline “DUE2” drop rate with RICHMOND/Va./SEP/11/1863 cds on prisoner’s cover “From S.W. Branch 1st Lieut Co B 8 Ga Regt” to “Mrs. C. S. Branch, Care T..A. Bulkley & Co., 137 Main St. Richmond, Va.” with manuscript examined “Ex F.R.K.” (See Harrison Civil War POW book [available in my literature sales section], page 147). Only 20 covers known from West’s and this a scarce 2¢ rate at that. West’s Building was taken over by the U.S. Medical Department after the Battle of Gettysburg, one of the numerous battles at which Branch was captured.  A very clean cover with a pencil note on back signed Brian Green that Branch was “the most imprisoned CSA soldier in the War”. Ex-Hall. Included is a large amount of biographical material available on Branch included showing at least 5 major prisons including incarceration as one of the infamous “600” prisoners on Morris Island.

GRATIOT STATE PRISON, ST. LOUIS, MO: U.S. 3¢ rose #65 tied target with matching JACKSONVILLE/MO/JAN 20 cds on cover addressed to “Mr. Jno W. Cooley, Prisoner of War, Gratiot St. Prison, St. Louis, Mo.” with ms note at upper left. “Small Pox Hosp(ital)” and “Dead” in red ink, docketing at left rubbed out/abraded. Only 11 covers reported to or from this prison. From Serving With Honor: The Diary of Captain Eathan Allen Pinnell of the Eight Missouri Infantry (Confederate) comes the following informational listing: John E. Cooley did 3 years CSA service (unassigned) July 10-Aug 7; 3 year CSA service Aug 7, 1862 (Thomasville, MO) Eyes: blue, Hair: dark, Height 6’1”; Age: 19, Pvt//Captured at Van Buren, Ark. Jan 2, 1863, Arrived Gratiot Street Prison St. Louis, Mo Jan 23, 1863; sick at St. Louis Small Pox Hospital; noted as exchanged July 24, 1863. Ex-Agre with 1992 CSA certificate saying “not Confederate mail”

CAMP CHASE, COLUMBUS, OH: U.S. 3¢ rose #65, uncanceled, trimmed and oxidized - perhaps cut from encased currency, on cover to "Moses L. Robinson, Prisoner of War, Prison No. 3 Camp Chase, Ohio" endorsed "By Flag of Truce", light partially erased examiner's marking in pencil, Fine, contents likely "$5 U.S. Currency". Robinson is listed as having served in Co. “D” 20th LA Infantry (Lovell Regiment).

CAMP CHASE, COLUMBUS, OH: U.S. 3¢ rose #65, tied by "Columbus O./Dec 29" duplex, manuscript examiner's marking "Examd./Lt. Col. Poten" on orange envelope to “Mrs. C. E. Evans, Powhatan, Balto Co., Md.”,  Very Fine 

CAMP CHASE, COLUMBUS, OH: U.S. 3¢ rose #65, tied by target with matching "Columbus O./Feb 18" duplex, examiner's handstamp “EXAMINED/CAMP CHASE/LIEUT COL POTEN” as well as red ink Atkins Comdg examining  over address to “Virginia Maris (or Harris?), Fayetteville, West Virginia”, ready for some good research, Very Fine

CAMP CHASE, COLUMBUS, OH: U.S. 3¢ rose #65, tied by blurry "Columbus O " duplex restruck very clearly at bottom left, examiner's handstamp “EXAMINED/CAMP CHASE/LIEUT COL POTEN” on orange cover to “Mrs. C. E. Evans, Powhatan P.O., Balto Co.,Md.”, slightly reduced at right otherwise Very Fine 

CAMP CHASE, COLUMBUS, OH: U.S. 3¢ rose #65, tied target with matching "Columbus O./DEC 9" duplex, examiner's handstamp “EXAMINED/CAMP CHASE/O.” on lemon cover to “Miss Alice Slingluff, Care Messrs C. D. Slingluff & Son, Baltimore, Md” with original enclosure datelined "Camp Chase No. 3 Barrack, Dec 8/64" to his sister and signed J. H. Slingluff, who is noted in the military records as being in Co. “F” of the Maryland 1st Battalion Cavalry. Very Fine. Of the First Maryland, Brig. Gen. Thomas T. Munford said in ordering it to be disbanded on 28 April 1865: "You who struck the first blow in Baltimore and the last blow in Virginia have done all that could be asked of you, and had the rest of our officers and men adhered to our cause with the same devotion, today we would be free from Yankee thralldom." Scan only shows part of letter.

CAMP CHASE, COLUMBUS, OH: U.S. 3¢ rose #65, tied target with matching "Columbus O./OCT 26" duplex, examiner's handstamp “EXAMINED/CAMP CHASE/O.” on lemon cover to “Miss Catherine Hooper, Alexandria, Va.”, bit reduced at left, tiny cover tear at top and some flap tears, Fine+

OHIO STATE PENTITENTIARY, COLUMBUS, OHIO/Morgan's Raider: 3¢ rose (65) tied by target and matching "Columbus O/Feb 20" duplex, manuscript "Ex N.M." (Examined by Captain Nathaniel Merion, the warden at the penitentiary), from Major Robert Bullock, a member of the infamous Morgan's Raiders, specifically the 8th Kentucky Cavalry, to his wife in Lexington, Ky., Extremely Fine, Ex-Agre, signed Brian Green,1980 PF certificate. A wonderful piece of Civil War history.

Following the capture of General John Hunt Morgan and his men on July 26, 1863, after one of their raids through Kentucky and Ohio, it was deemed that they should be confined separately at the Ohio State Penitentiary rather than on Johnson's Island as normal prisoners of war. Nevertheless, Morgan and a few of his men managed to escape four months later, further adding to the notoriety and legend of the feared Morgan's Raiders. During their imprisonment the Governor of Ohio had been forced to apologize for Warden Merion's cruel treatment of the prisoners.

JOHNSON’S ISLAND, SANDUSKY, OHIO: 3¢ rose (65) tied by target and matching Sandusky, O./AUG/19/’64 double circle on cover addressed to New Orleans, manuscript examiner's marking "Ex GSB" (Corporal George S. Brown, 128th O.V.I.), cover toned and minor surface irregularities, Fine. 

JOHNSON’S ISLAND, SANDUSKY, OHIO: 3¢ rose (65) canceled by blue target and matching MIDWAY/KY/MAY/27 (1865) cds on cover to “Lt. Col. John W. Inzer, 32nd & 58th Ala. Regts., Johnson's Island, Ohio" with manuscript examiner's marking "Ex JCB" (Private Joseph C. Berry, 128th O.V.I.), top back flap missing otherwise Very Fine. Military bio included; he was also part of Alabama’s Secession Convention in 1861, clearly a prominent man.

Click on thumbnails at left individually to enlarge.

JOHNSON’S ISLAND, SANDUSKY, OHIO: 3¢ rose (65) tied blue target and matching MIDWAY/KY/MAY/5 (1864) cds on cover to “Col. John W. Inzer, Block 11., Johnson's Island, Ohio" with manuscript examiner's marking "Ex B" (Private Joseph C. Berry, 128th O.V.I.), top back flap missing otherwise Very Fine. Military bio included; he was also part of Alabama’s Secession Convention in 1861, clearly a prominent man.

JOHNSON’S ISLAND, SANDUSKY, OHIO: 3¢ rose (65) canceled by grid with matching NEW YORK/OCT/15 cds and manuscript examiner’s marking "Ex O W" (probably Oscar F. White, 128th O.V.I.) on yellow cover to "Captain C.R. Rhodes, Prisoner of War, Johnson's Island, Ohio, Care of Col. C.W. Hill, near Sandusky, Ohio". The addressee was a member of the 8th Alabama Cavalry, Co. G, and captured at Roger's Gap, Tenn., on Aug. 31, 1862, In the “oops” department, in a report headed June 30, 1864 by Col. Charles P. Ball, Commanding the Brigade, he writes of his regiments attack on LaFayette, Ga. that, “My officers and men acted with great gallantry and coolness, with some exceptions. Among the latter I am compelled to mention Capt. E. C. Rhodes… “. 

JOHNSON’S ISLAND, SANDUSKY, OHIO: 3¢ rose (65) tied by blue target with matching Sandusky, O. May 5 double circle with neat bold oval "Prisoner's Letter/Examined/J. Berry/Johnson's Island, O." handstamp on cover addressed to “Isaac Craig, Esquire, Allegheny City, Pennsylvania”, with pencil docketing “William G. Beckley, Prisoner of War”, Very Fine. Soldier bio included. His residence is listed as Frankford, WV, 24 years old and enlisted as a 3rd Lieut. in Co “D”, 45th Virginia Infantry Battalion, also Co H 1st VA State Line. He was taken prisoner of June 5, 1864 at Piedmont, VA, confined at Camp Morton and later transferred to Johnson’s Island, but there is a gap in service record – very common, which full story is not told.  There was another William G. Beckley from WV who was a sergeant but not listed as POW.  

JOHNSON’S ISLAND, SANDUSKY, OHIO: 3¢ rose (65) tied target with matching Sandusky, O. Jan 2 ‘65 double circle with neat bold oval "Prisoner's Letter/Examined/DC/Johnson's Island, O." handstamp on cover addressed to “Miss Mary H. Wallace, Care J. B. Alexander, Esq., St. Louis, Missouri”, light horizontal file fold, Fine to Very Fine.

JOHNSON’S ISLAND, SANDUSKY, OHIO: 3¢ rose (65) tied target with matching Sandusky, O. Apr 14 ‘65 double circle with neat bold oval "Prisoner's Letter/Examined/J. Coder/Johnson's Island, O." handstamp on clean cover addressed to “Miss Mollie Green, Mackville, Ky Care Dr. L.G. Green”; original enclosure datelined "Johnsons Island Ohio Block 3, Room 3/April 10th 1865" in which writer finishes his letter saying that he is improving every day closing with "this is a gloomy day on the island, and not the only one I have experienced", signed Danl A Kennedy. Very Fine. The only Daniel A. Kennedy I found in the military records enlisted as a Captain in Co. A, 19th Tenn. Infantry with no mention of being taken prisoner, but records are notoriously incorrect/incomplete. Scan only shows outside of letter, folded.

JOHNSON’S ISLAND, SANDUSKY, OHIO: 3¢ rose (65) tied target with matching Sandusky, O. Jun 15 ‘65 double circle with neat bold oval "Prisoner's Letter/Examined/J. Coder (John Coder)/Johnson's Island, O." handstamp on clean cover addressed to “Miss Mollie Green, Mackville, Ky Care Dr. L.G. Green”; original letter datelined "Johnsons Island Ohio Block 3, Room 3/May 13th/65" saying he had received her letter and would gladly send the requested photograph if he had one and that he hopes to be released soon. Dr. Sims has encouraged him to go to Chattanooga to live but he has not yet determined where to go and “tell my sweetheart to wait until I have had sufficient time to have made a fortune, and I hope that will not be long, as I will work hard and all the time.” It would be interesting to know what happened. Scan only shows outside of letter, folded.

JOHNSON’S ISLAND, SANDUSKY, OHIO: 3¢ rose (65) tied target with matching Sandusky, O. Apr 14 ‘65 double circle with neat bold oval "Prisoner's Letter/Examined/J.J. (J. Jordan)./Johnson's Island, O." handstamp on clean cover addressed to “Miss Ada Desha, Cynthianna, Ky” with original enclosure: "Dear Cousin, I expect to leave tomorrow for Dixie and you can slightly imagine my feelings of anticipation of seeing my Dear Old father, Mother and Sisters besides numerous relatives and friends that I have not seen in six years. I hope by the 1st of April to be at home but not to remain long. Pa’s hope however that peace may soon be made…Yesterday we had two boxes of express from home. Today we had a fine dinner in large quantity of express matter…It is too late to do many of us much good here now, but will be the better for those left behind…distributed to Gray back are very numerous promenading Main Street…” signed by W. D. Hickman Adjt 10th Ark and “P.S. Pa’s address now is Deals Mills Caldwell County N.C.” You can feel the relief of the end of the war throughout this letter. Very little on Hickman in military records other than service in Co. H. 19th Ark Infantry.  Scan only shows outside of letter, folded.

JOHNSON’S ISLAND, SANDUSKY, OHIO: 3¢ rose (65) tied target with matching Sandusky, O. Apr 14 ‘65 double circle with neat bold oval "Prisoner's Letter/Examined/J.Jordan/Johnson's Island, O." handstamp on clean cover addressed to “Miss Mary H. Wallace Care R. B. Alexander, Esq Commercial Bank, Louisville, Kentucky” with original letter to “My darling sister” signed Tom Wallace and headed “U.S. Military Prison, Johnson’s Island, O./April 12th 1865”. He says, in part, “It is useless for me to tell you that I am sad as it is possible for any human being to get. I feel that I have very little to thank God for except that I am alive – I have no idea what will be done with me in case I’m set at liberty. I don’t know what I will do with myself.” And asks whether they want him to return home. “Don’t open my trunk, I expect in the course of a year or two I will either come to it or have it sent to me. .. "One of my room mates has a thirty day parole and will start south very soon. I will send by him an answer to Sallie's letter and I think my letter will prepare him for the shock of being courted". Very Fine. Without more research, can’t tell which Tom Wallace this might be – something for YOU to do! A sad and fine literate letter of despondent nature expressing the feelings of what were no doubt many soldiers at the end of the War. Scan only shows outside of letter, folded.

JOHNSON’S ISLAND, SANDUSKY, OHIO: 3¢ rose (65) tied target with matching Sandusky, O. Oct 27 ‘64 double circle with neat bold oval "Prisoner's Letter/Examined/F.W.R./Johnson's Island, O." handstamp on cover addressed to “Miss Kate Williams, College Hill, Hamilton County, Ohio” with docketing at lower left “Prisoner’s Letter/Johnson’s Island. Fine

JOHNSON’S ISLAND, SANDUSKY, OHIO: 3¢ rose (65) tied target with matching Sandusky, O. Feb 27 ‘64 double circle with neat bold oval "Prisoner's Letter/Examined/F.Y./Johnson's Island, O." handstamp. Stamp also tied by Richmond/Va. March 12 cds with matching DUE 10 paying Confederate rate; endorsed by Geo W. Jones, Let./Co I 18th Va Regt and addressed to “Mrs. Sarah F. Jones, Spring Garden P.O. Pittsylvania Cty, Virginia” with routing “By Flag of Truce/Care of Commdg Officer Fortress Monroe”, Military bio of George Washington Jones included. Wounded and taken prisoner July 3, 1863 at Gettysburg, exchanged March 14, 1865. Very Fine use of both U.S. and Confederate rates. 

JOHNSON’S ISLAND, SANDUSKY, OHIO: 3¢ rose (65) tied by blue target with matching Sandusky, O. May 24 ‘65 double circle with neat bold oval "Prisoner's Letter/Examined/G.F.Y.(George F. Young)/Johnson's Island, O." handstamp on cover addressed to “Isaac Craig, Esquire, Allegheny City, Pennsylvania”, with pencil docketing “William Beckley, Prisoner of War”, Very Fine. Soldier bio included. His residence is listed as Frankford, WV, 24 years old and enlisted as a 3rd Lieut. in Co “D”, 45th Virginia Infantry Battalion, also Co H 1st VA State Line. He was taken prisoner of June 5, 1864 at Piedmont, VA, confined at Camp Morton and later transferred to Johnson’s Island, but there is a gap in service record – very common, which full story is not told.  There was another William G. Beckley from WV who was a sergeant but not listed as POW.  

CAMP LETTERMAN, GETTYSBURG/PA: 3¢ rose (65) tied by blue grid with matching GETTYSBURG/PA/AUG/27 (1863) double circle cancel with manuscript "Examined R. Bell Capt. and Provost Marshall"; on cover to Little's Mills, N.C. "through Comdg. Officer at Fortress Monroe Va.", part RICHMOND/VA. cds also tying stamp and handstruck "DUE 10"; Very Fine and rare cover sent by Captain B(enjamin).F. Little of the 52nd Regiment of North Carolina Troops (docketing from him on top back flap which could be easily displayed open as is fully intact and unsealed) following his wounding and capture at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, and subsequent imprisonment at Letterman General Hospital. Trace of another (CS?) stamp at upper left which, as evidenced by the “due” marking, clearly did not do duty. Military bio included. Harrison lists only 20 covers from this prison hospital. One of the key battle related pieces of Civil War postal history with profuse description on back flaps by illustrious student of old, Van Dyk MacBride.  A postal history gem!

FORT NORFOLK, VIRGINIA: CSA #7, pair of 5¢ blue tied RICHMOND/VA./SEP/8 cds on cover to “John H. Knowles, Esq., Care Major Morfit, Danville, Virginia”  with routing up left side “Per Flag of Truce Boat” and manuscript "Approved. Capt. Provost Marshall District Va." in red ink with fancy handstamped "Horace T. Sanders" signature on reverse; bottom back flap opened out to display. Military bio of Sanders included. Was promoted to Brig-Gen. 4-19-0\65 by Brevet. From Racine, WI. Illustrated in Antrim, page 178, as a POW cover. Harrison notes in his book that this is not a POW cover. It is more likely from a civilian who desired to write someone in the Confederacy. While there were any number of prisoners at Fort Norfolk, there is nothing to specifically identify this as prison related, thus it must be considered Civilian Flag-of-Truce. None the less, a nifty and scarce through the lines cover, whatever the specifics.  

Click on thumbnails at left individually to enlarge. Second scan is simply so you don't have to break your neck looking at the screen upside down!