The Wilson Born Collection of U.S. Telegraphs continued...

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VERY FINE. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE RARE UNITED STATES ELECTROMAGNETIC TELEGRAPH COMPANY "E. MAG. TELEGRAPH" HANDSTAMP. IT IS BELIEVED TO BE THE EARLIEST OF THE THREE AND THEREFORE THE EARLIEST TELEGRAPH COVER RECORDED. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WILSON BORN COLLECTION.

The 1993 American Stampless Cover Catalog states the United States Electromagnetic Telegraph line opened for experimental use on May 24, 1844, and for public business from April 1, 1845. It was administered by the Post Office Department until December 1846 when it was leased to private parties and then to the Magnetic Telegraph Co., to comprise a portion of its line between Washington and New York, in April 1847.

The ASCC and Mr. Born's records record only three examples of this earliest telegraph company handstamp. None are year dated, but based on ink color changes and the Alfred Vail signature, Robert Harris surmised that this cover is from 1845 (ASCC page 6). One of the others is the ex-Hahn Washington office handstamp on a faulty cover front only, dated March 5 (ca. 1846), last offered in Siegel Sale 980, lot 3078. The other is dated May 5 (ca. 1846). While we cannot guarantee that a P.F. opinion would confirm the 1845 year date, the clear strikes and condition of this cover make it one of the most outstanding telegraph covers extant.

ASCC No. 1, rarity 10 - the highest rarity level. Illustrated in ASCC on page 5 (Image)

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A RARE TELEGRAPH MESSAGE TO CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR DOWNEY FROM GENERAL CURTIS, ANNOUNCING THE PREPAREDNESS OF CALIFORNIA STATE MILITIA TO MARCH TO CARSON VALLEY TO DEFEND AGAINST ATTACKS BY PAIUTE AND SHOSHONE INDIANS. DATED THE DAY AFTER PAIUTE WAR CHIEF NUMAGA ANNIHILATED MAJOR ORMSBY'S MILITIA AT THE THE FIRST BATTLE OF PYRAMID LAKE.

Following the Paiute Indian attack on Williams Station on May 7, 1860, a militia force of 105 men was assembled from towns in the Washoe mining region of what is present-day Nevada. This force was placed under the command of Major William Ormsby, a former Pioneer Stage agent and previously a member of William Walker's filibustering expedition into Central America. On the morning of May 10, Ormsby led his men northeast along the Carson River toward Williams Station. After two days and nights of extremely harsh weather, the ragtag army followed a path from the Truckee River to a place just a few miles south of Pyramid Lake. It was precisely where Pauite War Chief Numaga wanted to meet his enemy. The ambush quickly turned from a fight to slaughter. Three quarters of Ormsby’s men were killed, including Ormsby himself. Another 29 were wounded. Scalps were taken, bodies mutilated and horses stolen. News of the disastrous battle was brought to Virginia City by a volunteer on horseback who had deserted his post. As reports of the First Battle of Pyramid Lake spread, fears of an Indian Armageddon caused widespread panic. Families took refuge in secure buildings. The residents of Silver City built a wooden cannon, but fortunately for them never fired it. Officials sent desperate pleas to California and Washington to send troops.

This telegram, sent from Sacramento the day after Ormsby's defeat, was in direct response to the news. The California militia and U.S. Army regulars were eventually combined under the command of Colonel John Coffee "Jack" Hays, a former Texas Ranger and experienced Indian fighter. In his message to Governor Downey, General Curtis confidently states that the various militia groups are ready to march "at any moment."

Original documents related to the Paiute Indian War are extremely scarce, and this is of particular interest to Pony Express students and collectors, because the message is written on the Alta California Telegraph Company form. It was prepared at the San Francisco office from a telegram transmitted by wire from Sacramento. This office was the home base of the Pony Express in San Francisco, from which point the messengers would depart and arrive.

Ex "New Helvetia" collection. Described in Nathan-Boggs Pony Express book (pp. 9-10) (Image)

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