(New Iberia to Brashear Route 8188) U.S. Mail Steamer Teche, oval handstamp ties 3¢ rose (65) on yellow cover addressed to New Orleans La., manuscript "New Iberia La Feby 25/66" postmark and matching ms. squiggle also cancels 3¢; partial flap and small edge flaws, Very Fine. Milgram No. 1345  Estimate $1,000 - 1,500. The "Teche" of 62 tons was built at Cincinnati as the "Thomas W. Sugg" in 1860 and was enrolled at New Orleans as the "Teche". It was also named the "C.S.S. Tom Sugg" and "U.S.S. Tensas" during the War as both a Confederate and United States armed gunboat. After the war, it was sold to Capt. Trinidad for use as a contract mail carrier.Route 8188 was contracted in July 1858 and annulled on May 31st 1861. In November 1865, it was contracted for 8 months to Alfred Duperrior at $1,208 a year for 3 times a week service. This cover was carried by the "Teche" to Brashear for transfer to Route 8001 running on the New Orleans, Opelousas & Great Western Rail Road to Algiers located across the Mississippi River from New Orleans. $0 (Image)