Confederacy, South To North "Flag-Of-Truce" Cover. "inner" cover (1863) sent via civilian Flag of Truce by Anna R. Tuthill of Columbia, South Carolina, to her sister in East Otto, N.Y., the letter was sent to the Richmond to be censored, top left comer with manuscript examiner (censor) marking "Ex 'JMH", franked with obsolete United States 1857 3¢ dull red, cover sent to Dead Letter Office with "Washington, D.C./Apr. 14, 1863" cds applied and straight line "Due 6cts" tying the 3¢ adhesive, struck with "Dead Letter Office P.O. Dpt "double oval handstamp on back, cover with minor soiling & small piece of flap missing, Very Fine, a wonderful usage (Pictured in Monroe Book, pg. 95); with 2009 C.S.A. certificate. Estimate  $1,500 - 2,000. This fascinating cover which originated in Columbia, S.C. was sent to the Confederate War Department in Richmond, Virginia, to be censored prior to being forwarded to Fortress Monroe, Virginia. Once past the Confederate censorship, the inner envelope was sent to Fortress Monroe where it was rejected and sent on to the US Post Office Department Dead Letter Office in Washington, DC. It may have been sent there because of the demonetized 3 cent stamp. but more likely because of non-regulation contents which were later excised from the letter. In any event, the letter was sent on to East Otto, New York, with a Washington, DC, April 14, 1863 cancellation. A handstamped "DUE 6 cts" was added to pay for the postage from Fortress Monroe to the Dead Letter Office, and from the Dead Letter Office to East Otto.The examiner was a clerk in the War Department named John M. Higgins who ironically was imprisoned for his Union sentiments just before he was hired by the War Department to censor prisoner-of-war and civilian Flag of Truce letters.A Civil War Flag of Truce cover with a US Post Office Department Dead Letter Office marking is very scarce and has great appeal to both Confederate and United States collectors. $0 (Image)

Confederacy, South To North "Flag-Of-Truce" Cover. Blue "inner" cover originating from Columbia, S.C. and addressed to New York, the cover is franked with United States 1861 3¢ rose (rounded corner) and tied by waffle grid with "Old Point Comfort, Va./Mar. 1" double circle postmark at left, endorsed at top left "Per Flag of Truce Via Fortress Monroe, Steamer New York, Care of Major Mulford", included is original letter from Columbia, South Carolina, on February 21, 1864 by Anna R. Tuthill to her sister Miss Emma J. Tuthill in East Otto, New York with mainly family news, flap missing, Very Fine, a lovely civilian Flag of Truce usage (Pictured in Monroe Book, pg. 94). Estimate  $750 - 1,000. The Union side-wheel steamer "New York" was used extensively on the James River in Virginia as a Flag of Truce boat to transfer both Northern and Southern prisoners. The trip was usually between Aiken's Landing, Virginia, and Fort Monroe, Virginia. The "New York" also carried the vast majority of all Civil War Flag of Truce mail.Major John E. Mulford, USA, is well known for his active role in Flag of Truce affairs, particularly in matters of prisoner exchanges, and is mentioned frequently in the Official Records. On July 29, 1863 he was placed in charge of the steamer "New York" as Flag of Truce Officer. He was known to be accommodating and helpful in a variety of Flag of Truce matters. Major Mulford rose in rank and was promoted to Brigadier General in May 1865. $0 (Image)