United States and Confederate States Postal History continued...

VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE FLAG-OF-TRUCE COVER EXCHANGED AT AIKEN'S LANDING, VIRGINIA, WITH UNITED STATES AND CONFEDERATE STATES STAMPS CANCELLED AT PETERSBURG.

Aiken's Landing Va. (near Petersburg) was the regular exchange point for flag-of-truce mail from May to September 1862, when U.S. authorities stopped prisoners' mail exchange. Because Petersburg was the entry post office for flag-of-truce mail for only a few months, covers carried on this route are rare. (Image)

VERY FINE. AN EXTRAORDINARY NORTH-TO-SOUTH FLAG-OF-TRUCE COVER, WHICH ENTERED THE CONFEDERATE MAILS AT PETERSBURG FRANKED WITH A GENERAL ISSUE STAMP.

Aiken's Landing Va. (near Petersburg) was the regular exchange point for flag-of-truce mail from May to September 1862, when U.S. authorities stopped prisoners' mail exchange. Because Petersburg was the entry post office for flag-of-truce mail for only a few months, covers carried on this route are rare. This civilian flag-of-truce cover with Major General Crittenden's AAG's instructions to expedite delivery was carried in July 1863. By this time Union prisons filled up again, and prisoners' mail increased in volume. However, the exchange point had been moved to City Point Va., near Richmond (the entry point for C.S.A. mail). This North-to-South flag-of-truce cover was handled through the U.S. Provost Marshal's office and entered the C.S.A. postal system at Petersburg. The use of a Confederate stamp on a North-to-South flag-of-truce cover is very unusual. Almost invariably, such covers show a due marking for C.S.A. postage. (Image)