Confederacy, Camp Chase, Columbus O. Prisoner's cover bearing U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose tied by sharp strike of "Columbus, O., Apr 27" duplex to Baltimore Md., "Examined, Camp Chase, Lieut Col." circular handstamp (type Ib); small part of flap missing, Very Fine.
Scott No. U.S. 65; Estimate $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Confederacy, "Camp Chase Ohio Prison No. 1, Augt. 12th 1862". Dateline on prisoner's letter from G. Batterwell with original orange cover bearing 3¢ rose (65), tied by prison bar grid cancel, matching bold "Columbus O, Aug 14" cds to Moundsville Va., manuscript "Exd, G.W.B. Allison, Col" examiner's marking, endorsed "Prisoner of War" at left, writer talks of refusing to take loyalty oath to the United States, people being escorted to the Confederate lines, etc., Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

The writer, G. Batterwell, is not found in the National Archives Civil War military records - assumed to be a political prisoner, possibly a copperhead. Moundsville was Union Territory. Civilian Confederate sympathizers in West Virginia were rounded up early in the war and sent to prison camps. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Confederacy, Camp Chase, Columbus O. Newspaper wrapper franked with U.S. 1861, 1¢ blue tied by "Wheeling (W) Va." cds, with pink printed "Dr. Alfred Hughes, 19 Aug 62, Camp Chase Prison No. 3, Care Capt. D.B. Tiffany, Columbus, O." address label, Very Fine and choice, a very rare wrapper usage with only four or five examples known, illustrated in Harrison Prisoners' Mail From the American Civil War (page 182).
Estimate; $500 - 750.

On May 23, 1861, with his sympathies being with the south, Dr. Hughes had voted for the Ordinance of Secession adopted in the Richmond Virginia Convention. He was incarcerated as a political prisoner and sent to Camp Chase. He was exchanged in 1862 and went to Richmond where he practiced until 1865, when he moved to Baltimore. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Confederacy, Camp Chase, Columbus, O. United States 1861 3¢ rose (small tear) tied by target cancel with "Columbus, O., Jan. 18" (1864) double circle postmark on cover to Woodville, Missouri, handstamped with "Examined Lieut. Col. Poten/Camp Chase" circular censor's marking (Harrison Type Ia), minor corner wear, F.-V.F., this is the earliest recorded example of this type of Censor's marking.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Confederacy, Camp Douglas, Chicago, Ill. Orange Prisoner of War cover bearing 3¢ rose (65) tied by blue cork cancel duplexed with "Chicago Ill, Jul 29 '64" cds to William Conrad, Williamstown, Kentucky, black "Camp Douglas, Examined, Prisoner's Letter" oval examiner's handstamp at bottom left, original enclosed letter datelined "Camp Douglas Illinois July 27th 1862" and signed "Henry R. Brier, Co. A. 64 Va. Volunteers" to his grandparents in Kentucky reading in part "…The prison is getting a tiresome place for me. Although we are treated as well as could be expected…", Very Fine.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Confederacy, Camp Douglas, Chicago, Ill. Cover franked with U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose (65) used with blue cork and matching "Chicago, Ill., Apr 24, '64" cds, to to Mrs. M. Johnson in New Haven, Ky., "Camp Douglas, Prisoners Letter, Examined" oval handstamp (Harrison type I) used from Jan. 13-Apr. 24, 1864 in black, Very Fine, ex-Hedin.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Confederacy, Clara Barton, Gen. Correspondent - Correspondence Office with Friends of Paroled Prisoners, Annapolis, Md. Printed corner card cover to Auburn, O., franked with 1861, 3¢ rose (flaw) canceled by "Washington, D.C., Apr 28" cds and quartered cork duplex, with original enclosure of a printed form letter datelined "April 27, 1865" and signed by Clara Barton in the hand of her assistant Jules Golay (a young Swiss volunteer) with note reading…Your communication of March 28 is received, and the name of Shaw Delos, Co. E 102 Ohio has been placed upon my lists. It will constitute my most earnest endeavor to bring these lists within the notice of returned prisoners everywhere. Be assured that as soon as any information of interest to yourself is gained, it will be most promptly and cheerfully forwarded to you., Extremely Fine, with 2017 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 65; Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.

A REMARKABLE MISSING PRISONER OF WAR NOTICE BY CLARA BARTON - LATER TO BE FOUNDER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS.

After the end of the American Civil War, Clara Barton discovered that thousands of letters from distraught relatives to the War Department were going unanswered because the soldiers they were questioning about were buried in unmarked graves. Many of these soldiers were labeled just as "missing". Motivated to do more about the situation, Miss Barton contacted President Lincoln in hopes that she would be allowed to respond officially to these unanswered inquiries. She was given permission, and "The Search for the Missing Men" commenced.

After the war, she ran the Office of Missing Soldiers in Washington, D.C. The office's purpose was to find or identify soldiers killed or missing in action. Barton and her assistants (including Jules Foley who is given credit in letter) wrote 41,855 replies to inquiries and helped locate more than twenty-two thousand missing men. Barton spent the summer of 1865 helping find, identify, and properly bury 13,000 individuals who died in Andersonville prison camp, a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp in Georgia. The union soldier in the above notice was one of these prisoners of Andersonville, and was paroled on April 18th shortly before Barton's letter of reply was written.

She continued this task over the next four years, burying 20,000 more Union soldiers and marking their graves. Congress eventually appropriated $15,000 toward her project. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

Confederacy, Commissary General of Prisoners, Official Business. Imprint with "Official Business" crossed out, on cover addressed to Maj. Genl. E.A. Hitchcock in Annapolis, Md., franked with U.S, 1861 rose tied by "Washington D.C., Jan 6, 1863" cds, original enclosure with matching letter and interesting letter describing the exchange of prisoners and mentions possible executions; repaired cover nick at top with small portion of imprint drawn in, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Confederacy, Fort Delaware, Delaware City Del. Orange cover bearing U.S. 2¢ black (73), faulty tied by circular grid cancel, used with 1¢ blue (63) replacement, sharp "Delaware City Del, Jul 13" cds to New Orleans La., "Prisoner's Letter Examined. Fort Delaware Del." oval examiner's handstamp; reduced slightly at right, Fine appearance.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Confederacy, Fort Delaware, Delaware City Del. Orange cover bearing U.S. 3¢ rose (65) cancelled by grid cancel, matching "Delaware City, Del., Aug 2" cds to Miss Frank Cunningham at Springfield Ky., clear "Prisoner's Letter Examined. Fort Delaware Del." oval examiner's handstamp, Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Confederacy, Fort Delaware, Delaware City Del. Orange Prisoner's cover bearing U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose tied by "Delaware City, Del., Jan 24" duplex and addressed to Mr. Jas. E.A. Gibbs at Lowman's Mill Va., in combination with 1863, 10¢ blue, rich color, tied by "Richmond, Va., Feb 18" cds, no examiner's marking, endorsed "Per Flag of Truce Boat Via Fortress Monroe"; minor cover scuffs, clean and Very Fine.
Scott No. 11+U.S. 65; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

Sent by Private George E. Gibbs to his father. Gibbs enlisted March 18, 1862 in the 24th Va. Battalion Partison Rangers and transferred to the Va. King William Light Artillery on June 6th. He was captured as a POW at Spotsylvania Court House Va. on May 20, 1864 and confined at Fort Delaware until his Oath of Allegiance and release June 14, 1865. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Confederacy, Fort Delaware, Delaware City, Del. Circa 1865 orange Prisoner of War cover addressed to Mrs. Mary E. Douglas, Fisherville Va. bearing for C.S.A. postage 10¢ dark blue (12) with four large margins showing part of stamp at bottom, and for U.S. postage 3¢ rose (65), each tied by "Delaware City, Del, Jan 31" duplex with target cancel and "Richmond Va. Feb. 10" cds, endorsed "Care of Comg Officer Fortress Monroe By Flag of Truce" at lower left, Extremely Fine, signed Kimbrough.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

A CHOICE NORTH TO SOUTH PRISONER OF WAR COVER, PARTICULARLY SCARCE WITH A KEATINGE AND BALL STAMP.

There were no examiner's marking as Fort Delaware discontinued them in Nov. 1864. This cover was sent by Lieut. John A. Douglas of Co. B 30th Va. Battalion Sharpshooters to his wife. Lieut. Douglas was captured as a POW at Winchester Va. Sep. 19th 1864 and held at Fort Delaware until signing the Oath of Allegiance and released Jun. 16th 1865. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Confederacy, Fort Delaware, Delaware City Del. Prisoner cover to Hayneville, Ala. bearing U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose tied by "Delaware City, Del., Jan 24" cds and target duplex, in combination with 1863, 10¢ blue, rich color, tied by "Richmond Va., Feb 17" cds, no examiner's marking, endorsed "Per Flag of Truce", Very Fine, a choice dual franking usage from Fort Delaware, with 2017 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. U.S. 65+12; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Confederacy, Fort Warren, Boston Harbor Mass. 3¢ pink (U58) entire with "Fayetteville N.C. 'Dec 31' " cds and manuscript dating addressed to Eugene A. Maffitt, Prisoner of War, "Fort Warren", Boston Harbor Mass. return address of John L. Maffitt; torn from opening and stained, accompanied by second cover from same correspondence and same "Dec 31" dating with part of address excised, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Fort Warren was one of the better run Civil War prisons with a much lower casualty rate than most others during that time. Midshipmen Eugene Maffitt, formerly C.S. Navy, was the son of legendary Confederate Navy Lt. John N. Maffitt, Commanding Officer of the CSS "Florida". Maffitt served at Fort Beauregard at Beaufort S.C. and then under the command of Admiral Raphael Seemes on the CSS "Alabama" from the start of its operations against U.S. shipping until its sinking in Cherbourg, France by the USS "Kearsarge". Maffitt and his shipmate CS marine Lt. R. Howell (brother-in-law of President Jefferson Davis) were captured on an English steamer when it docked in Portland Me. on Dec. 6th 1864, and were imprisoned at Fort Warren in Boston Harbor where Maffitt received this letter from his half brother. Maffitt was released from Fort Warren on Jan. 10th 1866. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Confederacy, Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, Mass. Cover franked with uncanceled U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose and addressed to CSA Vice President Alexander H. Stephens at Fort Warren, with "App'd to be delivered, By comd of Maj Genl Hooker, Chas. O. Joline, A.D.C." endorsement at top, reverse with "R.M. Johnson, 25 July, 65" docketing, Very Fine, Stephens was imprisoned for five months at Boston's Fort.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

Stephens was taken into custody on May 11, 1865 at Crawfordville, shortly after Jefferson Davis and his party were captured at Irwinville Ga. Transported to Fortress Monroe with the Davis party, Stephens and Postmaster General Reagan were sent on to Boston arriving on May 24th. On August 20th he was moved to more comfortable quarters and permitted greater freedom. His release was supported by Senators Sumner and Wilson, Generals Grant and Thoms, and Secretaries Seward and Stanton, and many others. President Johnson released him on October 13, 1865. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Confederacy, Immortal "Confederate 600", Fortress Monroe, Va. Cover franked with four margin 1863, 10¢ greenish blue tied by "Richmond, Va., Sep 11, 1863" cds on cover to "Mr. James P. Irwin, Charlotte, North Carolina", addressee has been crossed out and "Mr. T. W. Dewey" substituted, this is an inside cover from across the lines use as the pencil contents docketing indicates "[9-2-63 Fortress Monroe, Va]", the family correspondence had across the lines prisoner correspondence from Drury Lacy, 23rd VA Infantry, to Thomas W. Dewey., Very Fine.
Scott No. 11c; Estimate $200 - 300.

Lacy was wounded at Chancellorsville May 2, 1863. He was wounded and captured multiple times. Ultimately, he was one of the Immortal 600 confined to Fort Delaware where he was transferred to be held captive under friendly fire as retaliation for the same treatment of Union prisoners. This use is from an unidentified northern prison before confinement to Fort Delaware. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Confederacy, Johnsons Island, Sandusky, O. Incoming cover addressed "Lieut Col. Inser, Prisoner of War, Care Major Pearson, Johnsons Island", franked with 1861, 3¢ rose (natural s.e.) cancelled by target, matching "San Francisco, Cal. Mar 29, 1864" cds and straight line "Registered" handstamp, manuscript "Due 10¢" and matching "2531" registry number tying stamp, endorsed "$150 draft, Hill" in pencil at left additionally tying stamp, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

A VERY RARE REGISTERED LETTER FROM SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. TO PRISONER AT JOHNSON ISLANDS.

Registered mail service was available in the United States during the war years of 1861 to 1865. Registered letters known to prisoners contained money and by registering the letters, they were guaranteed delivery to the prisoner.

The registered mail fee of 20¢ was to paid in cash, however the sender may have had only half of the necessary fee in which the Post Office accepted and dued the cover the remaining 10¢ fee. In any case, this cover is being offered on it's own merits (as is). Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Confederacy, Johnsons Island, Sandusky, O. Prisoner cover with "Prisoner's Letter, Johnson's Island, O., F.W.R., Examined" oval censor's backstamp of Pvt. Frank W. Rittman, bearing U.S. 3¢ rose (65) tied by partial "Sandusky O. '64" duplex with four-rings cancel to Mrs. M. L. Douglas, Blackstock, Chester District S.C., endorsed "From T. L Douglas. Lieut C.S.A., Prisoner of War, Johnsons Island, Lake One, Ohio" with directive "Care of Maj. Gen. Butler U.S.A., Commanding Dept Va. & N.C., via Fortress Monroe Va." at bottom left, entered Southern mails with "Richmond Va. Jan 21" cds and matching "Due 10" rating handstamp at top, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

Johnson's Island housed mostly CSA officers. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Confederacy, Johnsons Island, Sandusky, O. Prisoner cover bearing U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose tied by "Sandusky, O, Feb 6, '64" duplex to Cartersville, Ga., officer endorsement and "For Flag of Truce via Fortress Monroe & City Point, Va.", manuscript "Ex D.D." examiner's marking, entered Southern mails with "Richmond, Va., Feb 25" cds additionally tying stamp and matching "Due 10" rate handstamp, Very Fine.
Scott No. U.S. 65; Estimate $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Confederacy, Johnsons Island, Sandusky, O. Prisoner cover bearing 1861, 3¢ rose tied by blue "Sandusky, O, May 17, '65" duplex to Frankfort, Ky., oval "Prisoner's Letter, Johnsons Island O., Examined, J. Jordan" oval examiner's handstamp (type I), Very Fine.
Scott No. U.S. 65; Estimate $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Confederacy, Johnsons Island, Sandusky O. Bold neat oval censor's marking "Prisoner's Letter Johnson's Island, Examined C. S." censor's oval handstamp (known used from Feb. 15-17, 1865), U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose (65) tied by "SANDUSKY, O., Feb. 17, '65" and 10¢ blue (11), tied by "Richmond, Va., Mar 5" cds and endorsed "Per Flag of Truce via Fortress Monroe" at top of pink lined 1865 prisoner of war cover to Miss Tirzah Sharpe, Statesville N.C.; gum staining on stamps, 3¢ with irregular margin at upper left, small part of back flap missing, F.-V.F., with 2006 C.S.A. certificate.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

2nd Lieut. Abner Clayton Sharpe was a 21 year-old farmer when he enlisted in Co. E, 49th NC Infantry as a private. He was wounded and hospitalized 8-22-1862 in Richmond, returned to duty and then taken prisoner 4-1-65 at Five Forks, Va. and confined first at Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C. and from there transferred to Johnson's Island 4-9-65. This from official records but the cover tells a different earlier story. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Confederacy, Johnsons Island, Sandusky, O. Orange cover with "Prisoner's Letter, Johnson's Island, O., Examined, G.A.R. oval examiner's handstamp on orange cover bearing 3¢ rose (65) tied by target cancel duplexed with "Sandusky O., Nov 30 '64" cds to Nashville Tenn., Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Confederacy, Johnsons Island, Sandusky, O. Incoming cover to Capt. Wm. J. Robinson bearing with U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Nashville, Ten., Sep 11, 1864" cds and target duplex, manuscript "Ex, TOC" censor marking (examiner Theodore O. Castle); flap mostly missing, Very Fine.
Estimate; $100 - 150. Est. $100-150 (Image)

Est. $100-150

Confederacy, Johnsons Island, Sandusky, O. Prisoner cover to "Mrs. A. R. Taylor, Columbia, So. Ca" and manuscript routing "Per Flag of Truce", franked with U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose (65) tied by Sandusky, O. cds and target duplex, "Richmond, Va., Jan 16" cds with matching "Due 10" handstamp, also pencil manuscript "Due", "C.S.B. Prisoner's Letter" examined oval, properly docketed by "J. Taylor, Lt. 7 S. C. C."; stamp with replaced lower right corner restoration, otherwise Very Fine, ex-Cantey.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

The South Carolina 7th Cavalry Regiment was organized in March, 1864 by consolidating five independent companies with the cavalry of Holcombe's South Carolina Legion. The unit served in General Gray's Brigade and was involved in various conflicts south and north of the James River and around Appomattox. It surrendered with 22 officers and 398 men. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Confederacy, Johnsons Island, Sandusky, O. Prisoner cover franked with 1863, 10¢ blue tied "Richmond, Va., Jun 16" cds to Joseph Daviers Hamilton, Montgomery, Alabama, routed "By flag of truce", this was an unsealed inner envelope originally enclosed inside another envelope per regulations, the outer envelope with U.S. postage would have been discarded at the exchange point and then this one transmitted to enter the mails in Richmond for forwarding to Alabama., military and regimental records included, this is a known correspondence which corresponds to other handwriting / covers of origin from Johnson's Island, ex-Hedin.
Scott No. 11; Estimate $200 - 300.

Thomas H. Hamilton enlisted as a 2nd Lieut in Co. K., 18th Tenn. Infantry. He was detailed as Drill Master and Conscript Officer. He was wounded at Murfreesboro, Tenn. January 3, 1863 and left on the battlefield. He recovered, but was captured at Nashville on January 30, 1864. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300