Lot
3111 
Confederacy, Castle Thunder, Richmond, Va., prisoner of war cover to Windham, Conn from a civilian hostage (Charles Thompson) interned at Castle Thunder, postmarked "Old Point Comfort, Va. Oct 24" double circle with "Due 6" in circle, included is printed Provost Marshal's civilian pass through the lines from the Military Governor at Norfolk, Va., datelined "Norfolk, Va. May 14th, 1863", cover is exceptionally clean and attractive, pass folded and slightly rough around the edges, Very Fine and rare, one of only 11 covers recorded by Harrison.Estimate $500 - 750.
Thompson sent the Union "Pass to Roanoke Island" to his wife in the prisoner of war cover as a souvenir which he was carrying when he was captured on the mail steamer to Roanoke Island, signed by Thompson swearing he will "give no aid, comfort, nor information to enemies of the United States Government".
Realized: $450
Lot
3112
Confederacy, Castle Thunder, Richmond, Va., inner cover to Hopkinsville Ky., censored with manuscript "Ex. Jno. L. Eustis A.D.C.", who was a clerk in the Richmond War Office, franked with three singles of 1861 1¢ Blue (63), stamps defective, cancelled with segmented cork, one tied by "Old Point Comfort, Va. Apr. 18" double circle postmark cover with some minor wear, F.-V.F., inner P.O.W. covers going to the North are almost always franked with a 3¢ rose or stampless with a due marking, ex-Walske.Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $425
Lot
3113
Confederacy, City Jail, Charleston, S.C., adversity cover with enclosure, made from printed form from Capt. H.P. Cooke, pencil addressed to "Agent U.S. Sanitary Commission, Hilton Head, S.C." with faint pencil endorsement "Care Col. (E.L.) Dana by Lt Burr", no postage was required as this as handled by the Flag of Truce boat, Illustrated on page 45, "Prisoners' Mail From The American Civil War" by Galen Harrison.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
A PARTICULARLY INTERESTING ITEM TO THE UNITED STATES SANITARY COMMISSION AND ONE OF ONLY 8 RECORDED COVERS FROM THIS RARE PRISON.
Original enclosure datelined "Charleston Jail, August 2, 1864" appealing for clothing & supplies and reads in part "A supply of paper & envelopes would be particularly useful… Any other article which you think would serve to help us out (of) our miserable existence here would be thankfully rec'd. We hope upon our release to be able to return you all favors which may be shown us." and is signed, "In behalf of six officers",
Additionally included is 1864 cover with "U.S. Sanitary Commission, Department of the South" corner card imprint, franked with 1861 3¢ with "Port Royal, S.C. August 13, '64" double circle postmark, sent by James Hoadly, Sanitary Commissioner, Morris Island to his brother, the "State Librarian, Hartford, Conn.", original enclosure datelined "U.S. Sanitary Commission, Morris Island, August 6, 1864" reads in part, "You will also find a note from a Prisoner of War in Charleston Jail maybe you would like to save it. I have not been able to obtain any Rebel papers lately, but when I do will save them for you."
The earliest recorded example of a "collected" POW cover.
Realized: $1,450
Lot
3114
Confederacy, City Jail, Charleston, S.C. "Turned" Cover, first usage addressed to "Hiram Eddy, Prisoner of War, Charleston, South Carolina", entering Confederate mails with blue "Norfolk, Va. Dec. 12 1861" double circle postmark and matching small "Paid 5C." in circle, cover turned and sent back to his wife in West Winston, Conn., manuscript endorsed "Rev. H. Eddy, Prisoner of War, Charleston S.C.", postmarked "Old Point Comfort, Va. Jan 6" double circle with matching "Due 3" straight line handstamp, small pencil "Exd" marking at top left and "Sold. letter Maj. vHerrmann USA" at upper right, couple of tiny sealed edge tears, missing one flap, still Very Fine.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
THIS IS THE EARLIEST KNOW POW USAGE FROM ANY SOUTHERN PRISON OUTSIDE RICHMOND AND ONE OF ONLY 8 RECORDED FROM THIS PRISON.
Docketed on reverse "Charleston Jail, Dec. 17, 1861, No.7".
Realized: $650
Lot
3115
Confederacy, Court House Prison, Houston, Tex., manuscript endorsement "From Geo. Riddell Marine, U.S.S. Clifton, Confederate Prison" across top of yellow cover to Philadelphia, Pa., franked with United States 1861 3¢ Rose (65) tied by large 5 bar grid with "New York, Oct. 16, 1863" double circle postmark alongside manuscript Censor's "Examined W. Hyllested, Major & P.M. General of Texas etc." on backflap, usual small edge flaws, Very Fine.Scott No. 65 Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
AN OUTSTANDING USAGE FROM A U.S. MARINE POW IMPRISONED IN TEXAS, PICTURED IN HARRISON'S BOOK, "PRISONERS MAIL FROM THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR" ON PAGE 65.
Pvt. George Riddell was captured Sept. 8, 1863 at the Battle of Sabine Pass aboard the U.S.S. Clifton. He was confined in the Old Court House at Houston, Tex.
His letter dated Sept. 11, 1863 was delivered by Flag of Truce to the U.S.S. Cayuga, Included is a photocopy of this letter from Riddell, that was submitted as part of his claim for a disability pension which was filed following the war.
Realized: $1,600
Lot
3116
Confederacy, Deaf and Dumb Asylum, Stauton, Va., letter datelined "Staunton Hospital, Va. July 4th, 1864" from prisoner Wm. Grumbein, Asst Surg, 20th Pa. Cav., with original cover that was entrusted to a mother of a wounded rebel soldier and entered the mail with blue double circle "Baltimore, Md. Jul 16 64" postmark with matching "Due 3" in circle, manuscript "Soldiers Letter" at upper right, small corner piece out upper right (trivial), otherwise Very Fine, Illustrated on page 104, "Prisoners' Mail From The American Civil War" by Galen Harrison.Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
THIS IS THE ONLY KNOWN ITEM FROM THE MAKE SHIFT PRISON AND A GREAT HISTORIC ITEM.
The Deaf and Dumb Asylum was a second temporary facility which was utilized in Staunton in the form of a hospital for approximately 300 Federal wounded moved there following the "Battle of Piedmont" on June 5, 1864.
A Union surgeon, William Grumbein, himself a prisoner, was in charge from June to September of 1864. Grumbein was paroled to the limits of the town and thus was able to procure supplies for the men in the hospital. This letter from him was carried out by the mother of a wounded Confederate soldier, also in his care. In gratitude for caring for her son, the woman took Grumbein's letter to Martinsburg (West Virginia) to be mailed.
A large part of the letter includes, "It is one hour to sundown on the glorious 4th of July. I am a prisoner paroled but still in the hands of the enemy and must in all likelihood remain here a few months longer… I left Martinsburg on 1 June and marched to Piedmont upwards of 100 miles in 4 ½ days. Come up with Gen. Hunters Army on the 5th participated in the battle. We had about 100 killed & 500 wounded the next day. I and Dr. Owens were left in charge of the wounded at the field hospital. And the army moved on victorious to Stauton… My God! I thought I had seen work before in my life, but I never had, for two days & nights, my labors was incessant. I never thought of laying down to sleep. Most of the men lay out all night in the open air and in the scorching sun, I made shelter tents for them for temporary protection, and then worked there in the houses and barns. Took boards and laid them on the fences. While I was thus busily engaged, a squad of Rebels came and took everything I had… The morning after the battle about a dozen men, lay stiff in death and about as many more during that day. Oh, what misery! May I never see it again. Self was entirely forgotten… The battle was on Sunday, on Tuesday afternoon 34 ambulances came to fetch for Staunton. We loaded about 200 some here, fetched more afterwards and some still remain there under a few Rebel surgeons… When our army left Staunton, they left me in charge of 300 wounded men in the Deaf and Dumb Asylum. Work! Work!! and nothing but work. I sent all to Charlotteville except 125. We are all in the Confederate hands. Where our army is I do not know. 13 men have died for me. One will die tonight and perhaps five or six more. I cut off many an arm and leg for the last month… The rebels are not as near whipped as you at home think, they are the fight like tigers. I have got lice, bedbugs and the itch. Mrs. Brown from Winchester has a son in the rebel service wounded here, she will take this letter to Martinsburg for me."
Sender says send letter "By Flag of Truce" unsealed and direct them to "Wm. Grumbein, Asst Surg., 20th Pa. Cav., In Charge of Wounded Federals, Staunton, Va." .
Realized: $3,500
Lot
3117
Confederacy, Fair Grounds, Charleston S.C. (Also Known as the "Race Track"), adversity cover made from "Chambers & White" shipping form addressed from Cpl. Daniel Webster Sheets to his sister in Dayton, Ohio, faint manuscript "Via Flag of Truce" and censor's "Exd" at the Provost Marshal's Office in Charleston, franked with 1861, 3¢ rose (65) tied by partial Port Royal, S.C. double circle postmark, additionally endorsed "Care of Dr. A. Sheets" at bottom left, Very Fine, ex-Galen Harrison.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF A COVER FROM THE FAIR GROUNDS PRISON.
Fair Grounds, often called the "Race Track," was the site of a stockade constructed on the former Fair Grounds property. In September 1864, around 5,000 prisoners were transferred here from Andersonville. The prisoners had access to a hospital located at one corner of the grounds, and the Sisters of Mercy played a vital role in providing food and clothing. Diary entries from inmates commend the sisters for their unwavering attention to their needs. The facility was commanded by Colonel John F. Iverson of the 5th Georgia Volunteers. Robert H. Kellogg noted in his diary that prisoners were removed on October 8th due to a yellow fever outbreak in Charleston.
Realized: $1,350
Lot
3118
Confederacy, Flag of Truce Boat, The New York, Parole Camp, cover from Capt. Zabdial Boyleston Adams 56th Regt. Mass. (Colored) Vols. addressed to "Lieut. L.M. Lipp, Adjutant -or the Commanding Officer 56th Regt. Mass Vols., 1st Division 9th A.C., Army before Petersburg, Va.", included is original letter with manuscript "On board Yankee Flag of Truce Boat" on printed letterhead, "Office Assistant Agent for Exchange of Prisoners" dated "Fort Monroe, Va. Sept. 2nd 1864", cover franked with 1861, 3¢ rose (65) tied by segmented cork with Old Point Comfort, Va. Sep 3 (1864) double circle postmark alongside, wonderful Civil War letter stating in part, "Behold me at length after numerous dangers sufferings and trials, released from Hell, i.e. Confederate Hospitals and Prisons, and under the dear old flag. My first thought is about my regiment. I wrote you once from within the rebel lines but have received no answer.", Very Fine and rare, Only 2 known, Illustrated on page 241, "Prisoners' Mail From The American Civil War" by Galen Harrison.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
ACCORDING TO HARRISON THIS IS ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED USAGES - A WONDERFUL AND HISTORIC ITEM.
Written on board the Flag of Truce boat, the "New York", a small side-wheel steamer which was used extensively on the James River to transport prisoners both to and from the exchange point. On the trip from Aiken's landing back up to Fort Monroe or Annapolis, the released prisoners were in effect aboard a floating parole camp. The "New York" also carried mail to be exchanged. Not only was mail carried aboard the steamer, but in some cases mail was generated aboard the vessel. Proof of this is a letter headed "On Board Yankee Flag of Truce Boat Sep. 2 1864".
Captain Zabdial Boyleston Adams, 56th Mass. Volunteers (Colored), had that day been released from Libby Prison. Understandably bitter at this point, he wrote, "I have suffered much, but shall fight until I am killed or utterly disabled, I owe the rebels a long debt of wrongs, injuries and cruelties inflicted on our men". He was released on parole and was on his way to Annapolis, Md.
Realized: $1,150
Lot
3119
Confederacy, Florence Stockade, Florence, S.C., cover from Sgt. James Gilmore, Co. A, 101st Pa. Inf., a prisoner in Florence Stockade to family member at home in Williamsport, Penn., "Via Flag of Truce" manuscript notation at top, postmarked "Old Point Comfort, Va. Dec 10" double circle with "Due 6" in circle (penalty applied for not stating "Prisoners Letter"), included is photocopy of father's letter to his congressman detailing his son's escape, light cover fold, Very Fine.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
A VERY RARE PRISONER OF WAR COVER WITH ONLY EIGHT COVERS RECORDED.
Gilmore escaped from the camp hospital on Oct. 4th and was twice recaptured before reaching New Bern, N.C.
Florence was built primarily to ease the crowded facility at Andersonville. On September 17, 1864, some 6,000 prisoners arrived from Charleston. At the time of their arrival, the stockade walls were less than half finished, and these first prisoners were guarded in an open field. By mid-October 1864 over 12,000 prisoners were here. The guard force was made up of about 150 militiamen, mostly old men and young boys. Many were unarmed, those that were, were armed with single or double barrel shotguns.
The death rate at Florence was high, largely due to the physical condition in which the majority of prisoners here arrived. Most came here after several months in Andersonville. The Federal government sent clothing, shoes, and hats to the prisoners though a flag of truce. A great deal of suffering was caused by a lack of medical supplies, cooking utensils, and fresh vegetables. Additionally the prisoners had no shelter except what they could provide themselves. As they had at Andersonville, many built shebangs or burrowed into the ground.
Realized: $800