Lot
378 
Confederacy, (Flag of Truce) 1864 (Oct.) Charleston, S.C. to Reading Pa., endorsed "Soldiers Letter, Stewart L. Woodford, Lt. Col. agent of exchange" at left and "By Flag of Truce via Hilton Head" at top left on homemade buff cover to Reading Pa., partial strike of "Port Royal S.C. Oct 6, 1864" double-circle datestamp and matching "Due 3" straightline handstamp, manuscript "Exd" and pencil "Ex" examiner's markings, Extremely Fine and scarce northbound flag-of-truce cover exchanged via C.S.A. controlled Pocotaligo and U.S. controlled Port Royal, much rarer than mail exchanged in Virginia. Estimate $500 - 750.
Stewart Lyndon Woodford (1835-1913) was an American attorney and politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives and Lieutenant Governor of New York. Becoming active in politics as a Republican, he served as Assistant United States Attorney for New York's Southern District from 1861 until volunteering for the Union Army in 1862. Woodford took part in the American Civil War as Chief of Staff to Quincy A. Gillmore, Commander of the Department of the South and Commander of the 103rd Colored Infantry Regiment. In 1864, he was assigned Agent of Exchange in Charleston S.C. He attained the rank of Colonel, and the brevet rank of Brigadier General.
Realized: $625