Lot
627 
Confederacy, Adams Express Company. Blue green oval handstamp of New York on 1860-61 3¢ Star Die entire to Athens, Tenn., carried by Adams to Augusta, Ga. where it was placed in the mails & postmarked with double circle postmark of Augusta (smudged), used in Apr. of 1861, Very Fine. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $200
Lot
628
Confederacy, Per Blackberry Express. Endorsement on privately carried cover to Mayo Forge, Va., minor cover wear, Very Fine, an interesting private express usage formed by plantation owners, ex Birkinbine. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $105
Lot
629
Confederacy, [Arkansas] Helena, Ark. Double circle postmark on cover to New Orleans with straight line "Paid" & manuscript "10" rate marking, Very Fine, a scarce Arkansas postmark. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $290
Lot
630
Confederacy, [Louisiana] Monroe, La., Mar 14. Town postmark with matching straight line "Paid" and "5" rate handstamps, on cover to New Orleans, Very Fine. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $130
Lot
631
Confederacy, [Louisiana] Shreveport, La./Oct. 10, 1863. Cds with "10" inverted on folded cover with matching "Due 10" straight line handstamp to Tyler, Texas, cover endorsed "Jas. F. Starr, Cadet C.S.A." at top right and addressed to his father, "Dr. James A. Starr, C.S. Receiver", who later was in charge of the C.S.A. Trans-Mississippi P.O. branch at Marshall, Tex., Very Fine. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $290
Lot
632
Confederacy, [Mississippi] Coffeevile, Miss., Mar 15. Cds on printed State of Mississippi citation to Sheriff in Charlestown, manuscript "Paid 20" rate, Very Fine, with J. Kimbrough notation on reverse "Reportedly also contained a large newspaper clipping which since been removed", ex Green. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $180
Lot
633
Confederacy, [North Carolina] Geensborough, N.C./March 13 (1862). Blue cds on small cover (flap missing) with matching "Paid 5" straight line rate handstamp addressed to "Benjamin S. Herrings, 2nd Asst. Engineer C.S. Navy, C.S. Steamer 'Virginia' (Merrimac), Portsmouth, Va.", original enclosure included, Very Fine, a very rare & historic naval item. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
The battle on March 9, 1862, between the USS Monitor and the CSS Merrimack, officially the CSS Virginia, is one of the most revolutionary naval battles in world history. Up until that point, all battles had been waged between wooden ships. This was the first battle in maritime history that two ironclad ships waged war.
The USS Merrimac was a Union frigate throughout most of its existence, up until the Union Navy abandoned the Norfolk Naval Yard. To prevent the Confederate Navy from using her against them, the Union Navy scuttled her. The Confederates, however, raised the ship from the shallow floor of the ocean and began making some major modifications. Confederate engineers cut the hull down to the water line and built a slanted top on it. Then, they bolted four layers of iron sheets, each two inches thick, to the entire structure. Also added was a huge battering ram to the bow of the ship to be used in ramming maneuvers. The ship was then fitted with ten twelve-pound cannons. There were four guns placed on the starboard and port sides, and one on the bow and stern sides. Likened to a "floating barn roof" and not predicted to float, the only individual willing to take command of the ship was Captain Franklin Buchanan. After all the modifications were complete, the ship was rechristened the CSS Virginia, but the original name the CSS Merrimac is the preferred name.
The battle at Hampton Roads was part of the Peninsula Campaign that lasted from March to August of 1862. On March 8, 1862, the CSS Merrimack steamed into Hampton Roads. She proceeded to sink the USS Cumberland and then ran the USS Congress aground. Captain Buchanan then set his sights on the already handicapped USS Minnesota. Capt. Buchanan did not know, but the USS Monitor was lying in wait, ordered to protect the wounded USS Minnesota. Lt. Worden steamed out into the middle of the bay to meet the CSS Merrimac. The USS Monitor fired first in a drawn out battle that lasted about four and a half hours.
Finally, the CSS Merrimac withdrew due to falling tides. The USS Monitor did not make chase because of a crack in the turret. The results of the battle were inconclusive, neither side could claim victory. The estimated casualties resulting from the battle were extensive. The Union lost about 409 sailors and the Confederacy lost about 24 sailors. The battle was so impressive to the leaders of both the Union and the Confederacy, that they contracted their Naval yards to have more ironclad ships built. Wooden ships were now obsolete. Ironclad ships began to roll out of ship yards more often than their wooden counterparts.
Realized: $3,000
Lot
634
Confederacy, [South Carolina] Columbia S.C. Feb. 5 (1864). Blue cds, matching "Paid" in circle and large "10" rate handstamp on blue cover with "Official Business. Medical Purveyor's Office, C.S.A. Columbia, S.C." imprint, to Medical Director at Charleston, with enclosure, soiled and worn, still presentable and very scarce. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $170
Lot
635
Confederacy, [South Carolina] Columbia S.C. Jul. 6. Blue cds with matching "Paid" in circle and "10" rate handstamp on "Headquarters, Conscript Department, Columbia, S.C., Official Business" imprint cover to Anderson S.C., slightly worn, Fine. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $130
Lot
636
Confederacy, [South Carolina] Williamston S.C. Nov. 2. Cds with "Paid" in oval and "5" in circle handstamps struck over manuscript. "10" rate on small 1861 folded letter to captain on Sullivan's Island in Charleston harbor, Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $160