Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond, Va. "inner" envelope to Norwich, Conn. with manuscript endorsement Prisoner's letter, Lt. J.P. Rockwell, Richmond, Va. in top left, postmarked "Old Point Comfort, Va./Mar. 9" cds and "Due 3" straight line rate handstamp, additionally endorsed "By flag of truce" at top right, included is original letter, Extremely Fine and rare (Pictured in Monroe Book, pg. 99). Estimate  $750 - 1,000. Lieutenant Joseph P. Rockwell of the 18th Connecticut Regiment was a prisoner-of-war in Libby Prison, Richmond, Virginia. His letter stated in part, "Who were father's most intimate friends among men who now hold high positions in the Confederacy? If you would write to some of them to interest themselves in my behalf, it might be of the greatest service in obtaining for me a parole." It is interesting to note that Lieutenant Rockwell was a participant in a Libby Prison 1863 Christmas Eve Minstrel Show as illustrated in the Playbill (photocopy). $0 (Image)

Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond, Va. "inner" envelope to Norwich, Conn. with manuscript endorsement Prisoner's letter in top left and postmarked "Old Point Comfort, Va./Oct. 3" double circle postmark and "Due 6" rate handstamp in circle, Extremely Fine (Pictured in Monroe Book, pg. 98). Estimate  $500 - 750. The principal Northern exchange point during most of the war for "through-the-lines" mail was Fortress Monroe at Old Point Comfort, Virginia. A Union "Flag-of-Truce" boat, the "New York", a double-stacked, side-wheeler steamer was used for the exchange of prisoners and mail, and plied regularly from Fortress Monroe to Southern exchange points on the James River. Prisoner mail from Confederate prisons often consisted of two envelopes - an "outer" and an "inner" envelope. The "outer" envelope was addressed to the Commissioner of Exchange, Richmond, Virginia, where it was opened and destroyed, and the "inner" envelope, with its Northern address and letter, was placed in the exchange mail to Fortress Monroe. When a "through-the-lines" envelope was received at Fortress Monroe it was postmarked by the Old Point Comfort, Virginia post office. If the required 3¢ U.S. postage was not affixed, then the envelope was stamped either "Due 3" or "Due 6". Envelopes with a soldier's endorsement rated a "Due 3" while a non-endorsed envelope or a civilian envelope rated a "Due 6", but this difference was often not observed.Covers from Northern soldiers confined in Confederate prisons are very difficult to identify because of the scarcity of Southern prison and postal markings. They can usually be identified only by means of the original correspondence, a soldier's endorsement or some other notation written on the envelope. This cover is one such case in point as it does have the notation "Prisoners letter". Since it does not have the soldier's endorsement, it was stamped "Due 6". As a result of research on the recipient, John A. Rockwell, it has been determined that the letter was originated at Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., by Lieutenant Joseph P. Rockwell. Of interest, there is a photocopy of a Libby Prison Playbill dated "December 24, 1863", which features Lieutenant Rockwell in "The Libby Prison Minstrels". He was part of a violin and flute duet. $0 (Image)

Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond Va. Cover sent by private Henry C. Miller to his wife in Berlin, Conn., endorsed "Prisoner" and pencil "Ex HC" examiner's marking at right, "x F of T" at top left for Flag of Truce, franked with U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose (65) (small tear) tied by "Old Point Comfort Va. Jul 20" cds, red pen docketing "Written in Libby Prison sent by flag of Truce./July 8th, 1862" at left (probably written by the recipient on arrival), photocopy of original enclosure datelined "Richmond, Va, July 8th, 1862" regarding private Miller's capture no longer accompanies, Very Fine; with 2005 C.S.A. Certificate. Scott No. 65. Scott No. 65  Estimate $750 - 1,000. $0 (Image)

Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond Va. Prisoner of war address on inside of turned cover with "Druckler, N.Y., Sep 12, 1864" origin cds, no franking, outside franked with 1863-64, 10¢ blue tied by Danville, Va. cds and addressed to Lynchburgh Va., red "Advertised 2" straightline handstamp and matching "Lynchburg, Va., Dec 2" cds on reverse; stamp lifted and hinged in place as it was originally over edge, Very Fine appearance, a rare and unusual prisoner of war usage. Scott No. 12. Estimate  $750 - 1,000. $0 (Image)

Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond Va. August 23th 1863, datelined folded letter of the mandatory one page with "Old Point Comfort, Va Sep 1" double circle datestamp and "Due 6" circled rate handstamp, pencil "Exd E.W.R" examiner's marking, addressed to Poplar, Ohio, slight edge wear, Fine. Estimate  $300 - 400. $0 (Image)

Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond Va. Cover endorsed "Prisoner of War Letter, Libby Prison, Richmond Va." to St. Louis Mo., "Old Point Comfort Va. May 3" cds and "Due 3" handstamp, includes original enclosure datelined "Libby Prison, April 23, 1864" and written by John L. Cook to his parents; couple light stains do not detract, Very Fine. Estimate  $750 - 1,000. Lt. John L. Cook was mustered into Company K, IA 6th Infantry on July 12, 1861. He was wounded at Shiloh, Tn. on April 6, 1862 and listed as P.O.W. on May 14, 1863. $0 (Image)

Estimate $500 - 750. $0 (Image)