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Sale 43: The Westpex Sale

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Confederate States: Prisoner of War Covers, Southern Prisons

Lots 721-730 Lots 731-740 Lots 741-750 Lots 751-755

Lot 721    

Confederacy, (Andersonville Prison) Jacksonville, Fla./April 30, 1865. Buff cover endorsed "Soldiers Letter, John M Adams, Capt. 34th U.S.C." and addressed to Mrs. Vilery A. Harris in Duquoin Ill., light Jacksonville cds and "Due 3" circled handstamp, letter from Jordan C. Harris of Company A, 81st Infantry ex prisoner-of-war released from the infamous Confederate prison at Andersonville, Ga. states "Thank God I am out of prison well and now have the blessed privilege of writing freely my feelings to you.", Fine, contemporary references to Andersonville are scarce.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Realized: $475

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Lot 722

Confederacy, (Andersonville Prison) "Thomas O'Dea". Autograph letter signed, from the author and artist of O'Dea's Famous Picture of Anderson Prison, the letter is dated "July 2, 1887" and in it O'Dea responds to a fellow comrade regarding an article that was written in the National Tribune, "If Grover want to see a 'review', let him go to Andersonville, and review the graves there of our Murdered Dead", O'Dea also sends one of his circulars about his famous picture and telling how to order copies, letterhead with great P.O.W. and G.A.R. medal imprints along with the picture of Andersonville on O'Dea's flyer, Very Fine, a wonderful pair for display.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Realized: $475

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Lot 723

Confederacy, Andersonville Prison, Andersonville, Ga. Prisoner of war letter datelined "Andersonville, Georgia, July 28th, 1864" from Herbert O. Smith to his father, he mentions "I am surprised that our folks, the federals, do not get their men away from here. There is about 30,000 of them here fast growing less, I have got one shirt to me back & that I have had on ever since the first of May…Give my love to all for I don't know whether I shall ever see any of you again.", Very Fine.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

Herbert O. Smith was a 26 year old farmer from Westboro, Mass. He was a member of Company K of the 57th Mass. Inf. Less than two months after he enlisted, he was wounded in action at the battle of the Wilderness on May 6, 1864, and at Spotsylvania Court House, May 10-18th. He was then captured at North Anna River, Va. on May 24, 1864 and sent to Andersonville Prison. At Andersonville, according to the book Mother, May You Never See The Sights I Have Seen, The Fifty-Seventh Massachusetts Veteran Volunteers in the Last of the Civil War by Warren Wilkinson, he was murdered by "The Raiders". The Raiders were a group of Union Prisoners of War at Andersonville who survived by preying brutally on weaker inmates for anything of value. Six of them were later hanged for their exploits in the prison. Smith is buried in the Andersonville National Cemetery in grave No. 7158.

Realized: $2,300

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Lot 724    

Confederacy, Andersonville Prison, Andersonville, Ga. Prisoner of War patriotic "Cavalry Song" cover to "Mrs. Valery A. Harriss in Duquoin, Illinois", "Old Point Comfort Va Jun fort, Va./Jul 18" cds and matching "Due 6" circled handstamp, rare manuscript "Exd H.W." censor marking of Capt. Henry Wirz, included is the original enclosure datelined "Andersonville, Ga., July 17th 186(4) In Prison", written from Jordan C. Harris to his family, cover faulty and soiled, Fine, an exceptionally rare patriotic prisoner of war cover from this infamous prison.
Estimate    $3,000 - 4,000.

The cover was examined by H. Wirz, the famous Commandant of the Andersonville Prison who would enventually be hanged.

Realized: $13,500

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Lot 725    

Confederacy, C.M. Prison, Columbia, S.C. Prisoner of war letter datelined "C.M. Prison, Columbia, S.C. Dec 1st 1864" from Lt. P. Bishop of the "6th U.S. Artillery", addressed on outer leaf to Lieut. Hiram B. Martin, 6th U.S. Artillery at Memphis, Tenn., overall toning, Fine.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

Lt. Peter Bischoff was captured at Fort Pillow, Tenn. on April 12, 1864, and was confined at Columbia S.C. Bischoff was a white officer in the 11th U.S. Colored Troops - designated 6th Heavy Artillery. In the letter Peter signs his name as "P. Bishop". Perhaps because the Confederacy did not take too kindly to colored troops or white officers who led them.

Realized: $600

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Lot 726    

Confederacy, Cahaba Prison Stockade, Cahaba, Ala. Cover addressed to Helam, Pa. and endorsed "Prisoners Letter" at top left, "Vicksburg, Miss, Feb 2, 1865" cds and matching "Due 6" rate handstamp, flap with "Examined and Approved, Capt. and Commissioner of Exchange C.S.A." examiner's marking, included is the original enclosure datelined "Federal Prison, Cahaba Dallas Co. Ala., January 15th 1865" from Adam Bahn to his Aunt writing "Since you last heard from me I have had the misfortunate of becoming a "Prisoner of War". I was captured on the 24th Sept. at the battle near Athens, Ala. by Genl. Forrest…"; Very Fine, a very rare Southern Prison cover, this being one of the finest of only 10 covers reported known from Cahaba.
Estimate    $3,000 - 4,000.

Adam Bahn was from Company B of the 102nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Private Bahn was exchanged three months after writing this letter, but he along with many other members of the 102nd were killed when the Steamboat Sultana blew up on the Mississippi River just above Memphis on April 27th, 1865…the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history.

Realized: $3,250

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Lot 727    

Confederacy, Camp Ford Prison, Tyler Tex. Prisoner of war folded letter with "Camp Ford Military Prison, Tyler, Texas, Jan. 16, 1865" dateline, addressed to Marietta Oh. and bearing 3¢ rose tied by target duplexed with "New Orleans La. Mar 17 '65" cds, manuscript "Flag of Truce" on address panel and matching endorsement on back "Exm & forwarded, Ig. Szymanski, Asst Agt. of Exchange, C.S.A." in four lines; minor stamp faults; Fine a very rare Southern Prison cover, this being one of only 5 covers reported known.
Scott No. U.S. 65    Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.

Realized: $3,250

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Lot 728    

Confederacy, Camp Oglethorpe for Officers, Macon Ga. Prisoner-of-war cover with "Old Point Comfort Va. Jul. 18" double-circle datestamp and matching "Due 6" handstamp, addressed to Washington Pa., prisoner's endorsement at top, manuscript "Ex. W.H.G." examiner's marking of Capt. William H. Graves, original contents from Lt. Oliver R. McNary datelined "Macon Georgia May 29 1864", light fold and couple small stains, otherwise Fine, illustrated in the Confederate Philatelist Oct. 1861, ex Walske.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

Lt. Oliver R. McNary, a member of Co. E of the 12th Pa. Volunteers, was captured on April 20, 1864, at Plymouth N.C., taken to Andersonville Prison where he attempted to escape, then to Macon from where he did escape on July 30, was recaptured on August 17, injured during his flight and taken to Rickersville Hospital in Charleston on August 21, then to Annapolis Hospital on December 4 and finally paroled.

Realized: $850

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Lot 729

Confederacy, Camp Oglethorpe, Macon, Ga. Prisoner of war letter datelined "Macon Geo. May 4th 64" and written by Ira B. Sampson, this makes him one of the first prisoners to occupy Camp Oglethorpe, which was a prison for officers located in the city fairgrounds, Sampson mentions there were 98 officers in the prison, accompanied by carte-de-viste photo of Sampson signed on the front "Ira B. Sampson Captain 2nd Batt., 2nd Mass. Artillery" and backmark of "J.C. Spooner of Springfield, Massachusetts", Very Fine pair.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

Sampson was captured in Plymouth, N.C. and sent to Andersonville. He was then transferred to Macon and then to Camp Davidson in Savannah. There, he managed to escape but was recaptured by patrol. He was then transferred to Charleston City Jail where he again escaped on Mar. 17, 1865. He is featured in Frances Casstevens' volume, Out of the Mouth of Hell: Civil War Prisons and Escapes, page 314, as well as on page 387 in Portal to Hell by Lonnie Speer.

Realized: $700

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Lot 730    

Confederacy, Camp Oglethorpe, Macon, Ga. "Old Point Comfort, July 24" cds and U.S. 3¢ rose (65) tied by large quartered cork on prisoner cover to New Britain, Ct., prisoner endorsement "B.F. Blakeslee, Lieut 16th C.V.", May 5th, 1864 enclosure accompanies, top edge tears repaired, Very Fine appearance, a rare Southern prison usage, with only 28 recorded by Harrison.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

This letter was written by Lt. Bernard F. Blakeslee, a resident of Hartford, and a member of Company A of the 16th Ct. Infantry. Blakeslee was wounded several times, first at Antietam and then on May 3, 1863 at Providence Church Road, Va. He was taken prisoner on April 20, 1864 at Plymouth, N.C. Blakeslee eventually ended up in prison at Roper Hospital in Charleston S.C.

Realized: $1,150

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Lots 721-730 Lots 731-740 Lots 741-750 Lots 751-755

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