The Steven C. Walske Collection of Special Mail Routes of the American Civil War continued...

VERY FINE. A PRISTINE BLOCKADE-RUN COVER AND LETTER WRITTEN FROM THE BAHAMAS TO GOVERNOR BROWN OF GEORGIA.

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. (Image)

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FINE. A VERY UNUSUAL AND LATE BLOCKADE-RUN COVER ADDRESSED TO A CONFEDERATE PRISON CAMP IN RICHMOND.

This was carried on a relatively late blockade run into Wilmington. Although the origin is not indicated, the address provides a clue. James B. Timberlake with the 1st Virginia Reserves was a clerk at a prison camp Castle Thunder (Eastern Military Prison). Capt. Lucien W. Richardson was commandant of Castle Thunder prison camp. From October 18 to 22, 1864, there was a bazaar in Liverpool to aid the Southern Prisoners' Relief Fund. If this cover is related to that event, then it was probably carried on the Cunarder Persia, dep. Liverpool Oct. 22, 1864, arr. New York Nov. 2, then by Cunarder Corsica, dep. New York Nov. 7, arr. Nassau on Nov. 11. From Nassau it would have been carried on the blockade-runner Banshee II, dep. Nassau Nov. 30, arr. Wilmington Dec. 4. The Banshee II was owned by the Anglo-Confederate Trading Co., active Sep. 1864 to May 1865, 8 for 8 in successful trips, survived the war. (Image)

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