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Sale 43: The Westpex Sale

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Confederate States: The Monroe Collection: Flag of Truce & P.O.W. Covers

Lots 137-146 Lots 147-152

Lot 137    

Confederacy, North To South "Flag-Of-Truce" Cover. 1862, 5¢ blue, Archer & Daly Printing, large margins (top right corner clipped due to placement at edge of cover), tied by "Richmond, Va./Dec. 4" (1863) cds on over paid drop Flag of Truce "inner" cover to "Andrew Deming, Commissary Sergeant, Perry's Brigade, Andersons Division, A.P. Hills Corps, Richmond, Va.", Very Fine and choice, a gorgeous item (Pictured in Monroe Book, pg. 93).
Scott No. 7    Estimate $500 - 750.

Federal regulations required that letters sent to the Confederacy be enclosed in an "inner" unsealed envelope, properly addressed, and affixed with the appropriate Confederate postage, although the letter could be sent postage collect. The "inner" envelope was then placed in an "outer" envelope that was addressed to the Commanding General at Fortress Monroe, Old Point Comfort, Virginia, which was the principal Northern "through-the-Iines" exchange point. Such letters were also required to bear the notation "Flag of Truce". The "outer" envelope was opened and destroyed at Fortress Monroe, and the "inner" envelope forwarded on to the South.

This is an excellent example of such a usage. The military address is unusually colorful and complete. The Richmond post office was the principal Confederate postal system entry point for mail received from the North via "Flag of Truce". In addition, there is a puzzling and dramatic notation in pencil on the top portion of the cover which states:

"Miss Annie Gaines. Dear Miss. No excuse or apology can I offer for my boldness in addressing you especially on such a subject.".

Realized: $725

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Lot 138    

Confederacy, South To North "Flag-Of-Truce" Cover. "inner" cover (1863) sent via civilian Flag of Truce by Anna R. Tuthill of Columbia, South Carolina, to her sister in East Otto, N.Y., the letter was sent to the Richmond to be censored, top left comer with manuscript examiner (censor) marking "Ex 'JMH", franked with obsolete United States 1857 3¢ dull red, cover sent to Dead Letter Office with "Washington, D.C./Apr. 14, 1863" cds applied and straight line "Due 6cts" tying the 3¢ adhesive, struck with "Dead Letter Office P.O. Dpt "double oval handstamp on back, cover with minor soiling & small piece of flap missing, Very Fine, a wonderful usage (Pictured in Monroe Book, pg. 95); with 2009 C.S.A. certificate.
Estimate    $1,500 - 2,000.

This fascinating cover which originated in Columbia, S.C. was sent to the Confederate War Department in Richmond, Virginia, to be censored prior to being forwarded to Fortress Monroe, Virginia. Once past the Confederate censorship, the inner envelope was sent to Fortress Monroe where it was rejected and sent on to the US Post Office Department Dead Letter Office in Washington, DC. It may have been sent there because of the demonetized 3 cent stamp. but more likely because of non-regulation contents which were later excised from the letter. In any event, the letter was sent on to East Otto, New York, with a Washington, DC, April 14, 1863 cancellation. A handstamped "DUE 6 cts" was added to pay for the postage from Fortress Monroe to the Dead Letter Office, and from the Dead Letter Office to East Otto.

The examiner was a clerk in the War Department named John M. Higgins who ironically was imprisoned for his Union sentiments just before he was hired by the War Department to censor prisoner-of-war and civilian Flag of Truce letters.

A Civil War Flag of Truce cover with a US Post Office Department Dead Letter Office marking is very scarce and has great appeal to both Confederate and United States collectors.

Realized: $1,900

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Lot 139    

Confederacy, South To North "Flag-Of-Truce" Cover. Blue "inner" cover originating from Columbia, S.C. and addressed to New York, the cover is franked with United States 1861 3¢ rose (rounded corner) and tied by waffle grid with "Old Point Comfort, Va./Mar. 1" double circle postmark at left, endorsed at top left "Per Flag of Truce Via Fortress Monroe, Steamer New York, Care of Major Mulford", included is original letter from Columbia, South Carolina, on February 21, 1864 by Anna R. Tuthill to her sister Miss Emma J. Tuthill in East Otto, New York with mainly family news, flap missing, Very Fine, a lovely civilian Flag of Truce usage (Pictured in Monroe Book, pg. 94).
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

The Union side-wheel steamer "New York" was used extensively on the James River in Virginia as a Flag of Truce boat to transfer both Northern and Southern prisoners. The trip was usually between Aiken's Landing, Virginia, and Fort Monroe, Virginia. The "New York" also carried the vast majority of all Civil War Flag of Truce mail.

Major John E. Mulford, USA, is well known for his active role in Flag of Truce affairs, particularly in matters of prisoner exchanges, and is mentioned frequently in the Official Records. On July 29, 1863 he was placed in charge of the steamer "New York" as Flag of Truce Officer. He was known to be accommodating and helpful in a variety of Flag of Truce matters. Major Mulford rose in rank and was promoted to Brigadier General in May 1865.

Realized: $550

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Lot 140    

Confederacy, Camp Boyd Military Prison, Louisville, Ky. Prisoner cover franked with United States 1861 3¢ rose (tiny hidden flaws) cancelled by blue target cancel & tied by matching "Louisville, Ky./Feb. 12, 1865" double circle postmark, addressed to Cave City, Ky. with manuscript censor endorsement at left "Examined, W.C. Wells, Hospital Steward, Mil. Prison Hospital, Louisville, Ky.", flap torn, Very Fine, two recorded covers, one incoming and this being the sole example used from the prison (Pictured in Harrison Book, pg. 141 & Monroe Book, pg. 104).
Estimate    $1,500 - 2,000.

THIS CIVIL WAR RARITY WAS DISCOVERED IN MARCH 1996, AND IS THE ONLY KNOWN COVER FROM CAMP BOYD PRISON.

Camp Boyd Military Prison in Louisville, Kentucky, was in operation as early as September 1862. This is documented by a letter written on September 18, 1862, from Kentucky Governor Robinson to President Lincoln who alleged that many innocent citizens of his state were being held in the prison. Govemor Robinson requested that a commission be established to investigate and release those Kentucky citizens found to be innocent.

Camp Boyd Prison was located on Broadway near Tenth Street and was meant to be a temporary facility with its primary mission as a prisoner receiving depot. Most of the captives were temporarily housed and quickly transferred to more permanent prisons such as Rock Island Barracks, Rock Island, Illinois. December 1863, marked the high point of operations when 6,666 prisoners passed through Camp Boyd Prison. The prison population, which occasionally included women and children, never exceeded 438 on any given day. Records indicate that the hospital was separate from the prison but within the main prison enclosure. Prison operations ceased in July 1865.

Realized: $1,400

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Lot 141    

Confederacy, Camp Chase Prison, Columbus, Ohio. A wonderful 1860 1¢ + 3¢ "Compound Star Die" entire cancelled by New York City duplex dated "June 6" (1862) addressed to "Gen. Alfred Beckley of Virginia, Prisoner of War at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio", small mended tear at top & light vert. fold, Very Fine, a unique usage (Pictured in Monroe Book, pg. 108).
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

After Virginia joined the Confederacy, Confederate Brigadier General Henry A. Wise called on Beckley to form the 35th Virginia Infantry Regiment for service in the Army of Northwestern Virginia and commissioned him a Colonel. Beckley had great difficulty finding sufficient troops and complained in a letter to General Robert E. Lee that he could only raise about 250 men. The unit's organization was never completed and it was disbanded in early 1862 after rendering poor service.

On February 8, 1862, Beckley resigned his commission at Richmond, Virginia, and returned to his home in Union occupied Western Virginia. On March 16, 1862, Beckley wrote a letter of surrender to Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes of the Union occupying forces (later became President of the United States). Union General John C. Fremont then ordered Beckley's arrest and confinement at Camp Chase Prison, Columbus, Ohio, on April 25, 1862. On June 18, 1862, he was paroled and released to the custody of Ohio Governor David Tod. Beckley remained very active in Virginia politics after the great conflict and died in 1888 at the age of 86.

This colorful cover is a combination 1¢ + 3¢ "Star Die" entire was created to collect an extra 1¢ for a mail carrier to deliver the letter to the local post office. This 1¢ carrier service was only available in the large Northern cities. Only the 3¢, 6¢ and 10¢ "Star Die" entires were demonetized in August 1861. The 1¢ "Star Die" and the 1¢ + 3¢ "Compound Star Die" entires were not demonetized. However, the "Compound Star Die" entire was no longer offered for sale by the U. S. Post Office Department after June 30, 1863.

Realized: $2,900

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Lot 142    

Confederacy, Camp Chase Prison, Columbus, Ohio. two covers, both from the same correspondence, addressed to Mrs. C.E. Evans in Maryland, both franked with 1861 3¢ rose, the first cover, the 3¢ is tied by bold target cancel with "Columbus, O./Mar. 5" double circle postmark (1864) alongside, adhesive also tied by excellent strike of "Examined Lieut.Col. Poten/Camp Chase" censor's handstamp, the second cover, the 3¢ is tied by bold target cancel & "Columbus, O./Feb. 6" double circle postmark (1865), with censor's "Examined/Camp Chase, O." circular handstamp at left, Extremely Fine, the first cover is ex-Birkinbine (Pictured in Monroe Book, pg. 107).
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Camp Chase Prison, Columbus, Ohio, was named for President Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury, Simon P. Chase. He was also a former governor of Ohio. In addition to military prisoners-of-war, Camp Chase was noted for housing political dissidents and "Copperheads".

Realized: $325

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Lot 143    

Confederacy, Fort Deleware Prison, Delaware City, Delaware. Lovely prisoner of war cover sent by Lieutenant William A. Smith, Company J, 50th Virginia Regiment, to his wife in Hillsville, Va., franked with United States 1861 3¢ rose cancelled by grid & tied by "Delaware City, Del./Jul. 30" cds in combination with Confederate States 1862 5¢ blue, horiz. pair cancelled by grid & tied by light strike of "Richmond, Va./Aug. 17" cds, cover endorsed at top left "For flag of Truce via Fortress Monroe & City Point" and struck with nice "Prisoner's Letter/Examined/Fort Delaware" oval handstamp, 3¢ adhesive with two blunt perfs at bottom right, Confederate States 5¢ pair with four large margins, Extremely Fine and choice, a rare usage & combination franking, very few 1862 5¢ adhesives are found on prisioner covers (Pictured in Monroe Book, pg. 100).
Estimate    $1,500 - 2,000.

Mail from Confederate soldiers in Union prisons to the South generally bore the U.S. 3¢ stamp of 1861. However, Confederate postage was also required to be paid. This was accomplished by placing a Confederate stamp on the envelope when the prisoner had access to such postage. If the envelope lacked the proper Confederate postage, it was forwarded within the Confederacy with a postage "Due 10" marking. Because most Southern prisoners could not obtain Confederate stamps, covers with both Union and Confederate stamps are quite scarce.

Lieutenant William A. Smith, was captured at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, on May 12, 1864, he was first taken to Point Lookout Prison and then transferred to Fort Delaware Prison on June 23, 1864. Lieutenant Smith survived his captivity and was released from prison on June 16, 1865.

Realized: $2,800

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Lot 144    

Confederacy, Fort Delaware Prison, Delaware City, Delaware. Lovely prisoner of war cover sent by Lieutenant William A. Smith, Company J, 50th Virginia Regiment, to his wife in Hillsville, Va., franked with United States 1861 3¢ rose cancelled by grid & postmarked "Delaware City, Del./Jul. 30" cds in combination with Confederate States 1863-64 10¢ blue tied by "Richmond, Va./Sep. 15" cds, cover endorsed at top left "For flag of Truce via Fortress Monroe & City Point" and struck with nice "Prisoner's Letter/Examined/Fort Delaware" oval handstamp, 3¢ adhesive with couple blunt perfs at bottom right, Confederate States 10¢ adhesive slightly cut in, tiny corner crease & small stain, Very Fine and choice (Pictured in Monroe Book, pg. 100).
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

Mail from Confederate soldiers in Union prisons to the South generally bore the U.S. 3¢ stamp of 1861. However, Confederate postage was also required to be paid. This was accomplished by placing a Confederate stamp on the envelope when the prisoner had access to such postage. If the envelope lacked the proper Confederate postage, it was forwarded within the Confederacy with a postage "Due 10" marking. Because most Southern prisoners could not obtain Confederate stamps, covers with both Union and Confederate stamps are quite scarce.

Lieutenant William A. Smith, was captured at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, on May 12, 1864, he was first taken to Point Lookout Prison and then transferred to Fort Delaware Prison on June 23, 1864. Lieutenant Smith survived his captivity and was released from prison on June 16, 1865.

Realized: $1,800

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Lot 145    

Confederacy, Fort Pulaski Prison, Ga. - "The Immortal 600". Prisoner of war cover from W.E. Johnson, Lieutenant in the 7th South Carolina Cavalry, to his father in Camden, S.C., sent via flag of truce to Savannah where the cover entered the mails for Camden, postmarked "Savannah, Geo./Nov. 6" (1864) cds with stars at side and (Due) "10" rate handstamp, endorsed at top left "W.E. Johnson, Prisoner of War/By Flag of Truce" and pencil "Exd" (examined) censor notation below, Extremely Fine a wonderful rarity in stunning condition (Pictured in Monroe Book, pg. 102).
Estimate    $1,500 - 2,000.

Fort Pulaski prisoner-of-war covers are quite rare and there are only three known covers to have a Savannah, Ga. postmark. Since Savannah fell to Union forces on December 21, 1864, there was only a brief 60-day period that a Fort Pulaski prisoner-of-war letter could have been sent via Savannah.

There are many interesting stories of prisons and one of the most interesting is that of three Southern locations where captured Confederate officers were held by Federal forces, right in the bosom of the Confederacy itself. These three prisons were Morris Island in Charleston Harbor, SC, Hilton Head in the harbor of Port Royal, SC, and Fort Pulaski near Savannah, GA. All are interconnected with the plight of 600 Confederate officer prisoners known in Southern history as "The Immortal 600."

The story begins in June 1864 when the Confederates placed 50 high-ranking Union officer prisoners in Charleston where the Union believed they would be subject to Union artillery fire from Morris Island. The North promptly sent a similar number of Confederate officers to Morris Island to be exposed to Confederate artillery. On August 3, 1864, both sides exchanged these prisoners. Then the Confederates transferred 600 more prisoners to Charleston. On August 20, 1864, the Union retaliated by shipping 600 prisoners from Fort Delaware to Morris Island near Charleston, arriving on September 7. They were held in open barracks as "human shields" under direct shelling from Confederate forces in retaliation for Union prisoners being held in Charleston under shelling from U.S. forces.

General Grant vetoed another prisoner exchange, however, the stalemate was broken when the Union prisoners were moved from Charleston because of an outbreak of yellow fever. On October 21, 1864, the prisoners from Morris Island, who had been exposed to mortar fire from their own Confederate batteries in Charleston, were moved to Fort Pulaski at the mouth of the Savannah River, conditions were not much better there as they were forced to subsist on a near starvation diet. Shortly thereafter about 200 of them were again transferred to Hilton Head. On March 12, 1865, the prisoners at both locations were returned to Fort Delaware. Forty-four died from illness and very bad treatment, and including those that were later exchanged or had escaped, about half of the original 600 made it back to Fort Delaware.

Realized: $1,800

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Lot 146    

Confederacy, Harts Island Prison, New York City. two covers sent to Corporal James M. Morey by his mother Hannah - one as a soldier in the field and one as a prisoner-of-war at Harts Island Prison in New York City Harbor, first cover is an 1864 cover franked with 1863-64 10¢ dark blue (four margins, light crease) tied by "Richmond, Va./Sep. 15 cds" to Corporal James M. Morey, 32nd Tenn. (Co. D.), Brown's Brig., Stevenson Division, the second cover is franked with United States 1861 3¢ rose tied by segmented grid on rare incoming cover to "James M. Morey, Prison Camp, Harts Island, New York Harbor, Camp 27", postmarked New York City double circle postmark and docketed "May 28, 1865", cover includes original enclosure from his mother datelined "Jersey City May 26th 1865" and was written at a relative's home where she went to be near her son, Very Fine, a choice pair (Pictured in Monroe Book, pg. 97).
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

Corporal Morey was captured at Orangeburg, S.C. on February 12, 1865 and sent to Harts Island Prison on April 10th and released on June 14. The first cover is a "through-the-line" inner envelope from his mother who lived in Franklin, TN.

The Hart's Island camp was in operation for only four months at the end of the war -- possibly the last one established by the Union. Harrison reports only l 22 covers are known from Hart's Island and all are from the Morey correspondence.

Realized: $1,100

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Lots 137-146 Lots 147-152

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