Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., orange prisoner-of-war cover to Mark Fisher Esq. in Trenton N.J., unusual soldier's letter endorsement provided by fellow prisoner, Captain William D. Wilkins, "For Clark Fisher U.S.A." and additional "Prisoner of War, Soldiers Letter" at top, censored with manuscript "exd HW." by Captain Henry H. Wirz, later of Andersonville Prison infamy, "Due 3" handstamp for U.S. rating; couple minor stained spots, Very Fine, ex-Walske. Estimate  $1,500 - 2,000. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE COMMANDANT HENRY WIRZ'S CENSOR MARKING ON A FLAG-OF-TRUCE COVER FROM LIBBY PRISON. Henry H. Wirz took command of Libby Prison beginning in late 1862. In March 1864, he was assigned to Andersonville (Camp Sumter). After the war, Wirz was charged with conspiracy and murder by Federal authorities. His trial was held in the Capitol building in Washington and was presided over by Union General Lew Wallace. A number of former prisoners testified on conditions at Andersonville, many accusing Wirz of specific acts of cruelty (some of these accounts were later called into question by historians as exaggerated or false). The court also heard from Confederate officers and considered official correspondence from captured Confederate records. Wirz presented evidence that he pleaded to Confederate authorities to try to get more food and maintained that he tried to improve the conditions for the prisoners. Wirz was found guilty of murder and was sentenced to death. On November 10, 1865, he was hanged in Washington at the site of the current Supreme Court building -- the only Confederate official to be tried, convicted and executed for war crimes resulting from the Civil War.References: Illustrated in Harrison on page 92. $0 (Image)

Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., Prisoner cover with "Old Point Comfort Va. Nov 10" double circle date stamp and matching "Due 6" circled handstamp, endorsed "M. M. Moore, 2nd Lieut, Prisoner of War" at left and addressed to his mother Mrs. A. W. Moore at Grand Rapids Mich., Feb. 14, 1864 letter from same correspondence accompanies where he states he is able to only write six lines and he expects to stay in prison for the duration of the war, Very Fine. Estimate  $750 - 1,000. He was in fact exchanged or released in early 1865 and rejoined his unit on April 1, 1865 and did not muster out of service until November 24, 1865. $0 (Image)

Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., orange cover bearing U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose tied by cork cancel and with matching "Old Point Comfort Va. Dec 9" cds, addressed to Hiram Marshall at Jefferson Ind., letter sent from William S. Marshall with pencil "Nov. 28 1863 contents docketing at left, Very Fine, ex-Walske, Hedin. Estimate  $500 - 750. William S. Marshall was Adjutant of the 51st Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was in the line of duty near Rome, Ga. as 1st Sergeant on or about May 3, 1863 when he was captured at Rowe Gap while making a raid under the command of Col. A.D. Steight. He was held prisoner of war at Libby Prison from May 16, 1863 until May 7, 1864. He was then transferred to Confederate Prisons: Camp Ogelthrope, "Workhouse" near City Jail and Camp Asylum. He tried to escape from prison camp near Columbia S.C. but was recaptured. He escaped from a train of cars on February 14, 1865. $0 (Image)

Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., buff prisoner's cover with "Old Point Comfort, Va., Oct 2" cds and matching "Due 6" rating handstamp addressed to Rear Admiral Hiram Paulding, Navy Yard, New York, cover with pencil Examiner's initials, original one page letter from Private William A. Paulding (1842-1906) in Company K of N.Y. 78th Infantry to his parents, Very Fine and choice; with 2004 C.S.A. certificate. Estimate  $500 - 750. The original one page prisoner's letter from Private Paulding to his father is included in which he says he is well and that he received the letter with the $15.00 and was surprised to hear that they have not received his letters as he has been writing every week and taking great care not to include anything that would be objectionable to the examiners. The letter is datelined "Libby Prison Richmond Sept 23 63." Private Paulding was first captured as a POW at Salem Church during the Chancelorsville Campaign on May 4, 1863 but was very soon paroled and exchanged. He rejoined his regiment in time for Gettysburg where he was slightly wounded and again captured as a POW on July 3, 1863. This time he was confined at Libby Prison until exchanged and released in early 1864. His release was due to a special exchange possibly because of the prominence of his family. $0 (Image)