Lot
4482 
Confederacy, Castle Thunder, Richmond Va., yellow inner cover sent by Cpl. John Carr to his wife in Keedysville, Md., endorsed "Prisoners letter per flag of truce" at top, clear strike of "Old Point Comfort, Va., May 3" cds and matching strike of "Due 3" straightline in circle handstamp, original letter accompanies with type transcript; some edge wear and light soiling, Very Fine. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
A VERY RARE USAGE FROM CASTLE THUNDER WITH ONLY 11 COVERS RECORDED FROM THIS CAMP, ESPECIALLY CONTAINING THE FULL LETTER.
The original lengthy letter is datelined "Richmond, Va / Castle Thunder April 25, 1864", and reads in part "My imprisonment seems to have changed my whole being, yes my very soul…I thank my God, that it has made me learn to be a better Christian and to think more seriously of death, and my God."
The Castle Thunder Complex was composed of Greaner's, Whitlocks and Palmers Tobacco Factories joined by a fence forming a compound. The prison's most notorious commandant was Capt. George W. Alexander. As a Confederate solider fighting in Maryland, Alexander was captured in 1861. While awaiting execution by the Union Army, he escaped and fled to Richmond. Once in Richmond, Alexander took command of the Castle Thunder Prison. Security at the prison was intense under Alexander, and prisoners are said to have complained of Alexander's brutality.
Lot
4483
Confederacy, General Hospital No. 1, Richmond Va., September 24, 1861 cover from New York to "Sgt. James Reid, Regiment N.Y.S.M., Prisoner of War, Prison Hospital, Richmond Va., Care of the Secretary of War, Washington, to be forwarded at the first opportunity", manuscript "Exd J." examiners mark applied at Fortress Monroe and "Postage Inside" in same hand, "New York Sep 24" cds ties 1857, 1¢ Blue Ty. I (18), Pos. 56L12 paying carrier fee and 1857, 3¢ dull red (26), blue "Norfolk Va. Oct. 9, 1861" dcds, manuscript "Flag Truce due 5c" for Confederate postage (despite the "Postage Inside" notation by examiner); 3¢ stamp lifted and replaced, some restoration, a Very Fine and rare use, ex-Walske. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
THIS IS THE EARLIEST KNOWN SOUTHBOUND FLAG-OF-TRUCE COVER VIA THE FORTRESS MONROE-NORFOLK ROUTE.
Informal flag-of-truce exchanges of mail between Fortress Monroe and Norfolk began in September 1861 and continued until U.S. forces occupied Norfolk on May 9, 1862, which forced a change in route on the Confederate side.
James Reid enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 27, 1861, and joined Company B of the 79th New York State Infantry. He was captured at the First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) on July 21, 1861, and was sent to Richmond as a prisoner of war. General Hospital No. 1, also known as the Alms House Hospital, held and treated large numbers of Federal prisoners from Bull Run. In 1864 the building became the temporary location of the Virginia Military Institute (Harrison, page 88).
References: Illustrated in Special Routes (page 65). Described in the Confederate Philatelist (No. 188, page 46).
Realized: $1,500
Lot
4484
Confederacy, General Hospital No. 21, Richmond Va., printed form voucher dated Feb 16, 1865 for $1,500 for 50 bushels of potatoes exclusively for the use of the sick and wounded prisoners of war, signed "G. Wm. Semple" as surgeon in charge, slight aging with clipped corner, F.-V.F., a scarce item from this prison, only five cover are recorded. Estimate $300 - 400.
General Hospital No. 21, also known as Gwalthmey Factory Hospital or C.S. Prison Military Hospital, was a converted tobacco factory located at the corner of 25th and Cary streets and was part of the Confederate prison system. The hospital housed sick and wounded Union POWs, both officer and enlisted with a capacity of 700. POWs at this prison were treated as well as the Confederacy could provide.
Lot
4485
Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond Va., orange prisoner-of-war cover to Mark Fisher Esq. in Trenton N.J., unusual soldier's letter endorsement provided by fellow prisoner, Captain William D. Wilkins, "For Clark Fisher U.S.A." and additional "Prisoner of War, Soldiers Letter" at top, censored with manuscript "exd HW." by Captain Henry H. Wirz, later of Andersonville Prison infamy, "Due 3" handstamp for U.S. rating; couple minor stained spots, Very Fine, ex-Walske. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE COMMANDANT HENRY WIRZ'S CENSOR MARKING ON A FLAG-OF-TRUCE COVER FROM LIBBY PRISON.
Henry H. Wirz took command of Libby Prison beginning in late 1862. In March 1864, he was assigned to Andersonville (Camp Sumter). After the war, Wirz was charged with conspiracy and murder by Federal authorities. His trial was held in the Capitol building in Washington and was presided over by Union General Lew Wallace. A number of former prisoners testified on conditions at Andersonville, many accusing Wirz of specific acts of cruelty (some of these accounts were later called into question by historians as exaggerated or false). The court also heard from Confederate officers and considered official correspondence from captured Confederate records. Wirz presented evidence that he pleaded to Confederate authorities to try to get more food and maintained that he tried to improve the conditions for the prisoners. Wirz was found guilty of murder and was sentenced to death. On November 10, 1865, he was hanged in Washington at the site of the current Supreme Court building -- the only Confederate official to be tried, convicted and executed for war crimes resulting from the Civil War.
References: Illustrated in Harrison on page 92.
Lot
4486
Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond Va., Prisoner cover endorsed "Libby Prison" and with "Old Point Comfort Va. Oct 3" dcds and matching "Due 6" rating handstamp, addressed to Mrs. A. M. Paulding in care of Admiral H. Paulding at the Navy Yard in New York City, original enclosed letter datelined "Libby Prison Sunday Morn Sept 20 1863" from Private Paulding to his mother in which he says he is well and asks for a number of items to be sent to him, Extremely Fine; with 2004 C.S.A. certificate. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Sent by Private William A. Paulding (1842-1906) of Co. 'K' New York 78th Infantry to his parents. He was the son of Union Admiral Hiram Paulding. Private Paulding was first captured as a POW at Salem Church during the Chancelorsville Campaign May 4, 1863 but was very soon paroled and exchanged rejoining his regiment in time for Gettysburg where he was slightly wounded and again captured as a POW July 3, 1863. This time he was confined at Libby Prison until exchanged and released in early 1864. His release was due to a special exchange possibly due to the prominence of his family. Libby Prison ranks only behind Andersonville on the list of notorious Southern Civil War prisons.
Realized: $1,000
Lot
4487
Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond Va., Prisoner cover with "Old Point Comfort Va. Nov 10" dcds and matching "Due 6" circled handstamp, endorsed "M. M. Moore, 2nd Lieut, Prisoner of War" at left and addressed to his mother Mrs. A. W. Moore at Grand Rapids Mich., Feb. 14, 1864 letter from same correspondence accompanies where he states he is able to only write six lines and he expects to stay in prison for the duration of the war, Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
He was in fact exchanged or released in early 1865 and rejoined his unit on April 1, 1865 and did not muster out of service until November 24, 1865.
Lot
4488
Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond Va., buff prisoner's cover with "Old Point Comfort, Va., Oct 2" cds and matching "Due 6" rating handstamp addressed to Rear Admiral Hiram Paulding, Navy Yard, New York, cover with pencil Examiner's initials, original one page letter from Private William A. Paulding (1842-1906) in Company K of N.Y. 78th Infantry to his parents, Very Fine and choice; with 2004 C.S.A. certificate. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
The original one page prisoner's letter from Private Paulding to his father is included in which he says he is well and that he received the letter with the $15.00 and was surprised to hear that they have not received his letters as he has been writing every week and taking great care not to include anything that would be objectionable to the examiners. The letter is datelined "Libby Prison Richmond Sept 23 63." Private Paulding was first captured as a POW at Salem Church during the Chancelorsville Campaign on May 4, 1863 but was very soon paroled and exchanged. He rejoined his regiment in time for Gettysburg where he was slightly wounded and again captured as a POW on July 3, 1863. This time he was confined at Libby Prison until exchanged and released in early 1864. His release was due to a special exchange possibly because of the prominence of his family.
Lot
4489
Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond Va. - "Enchantress Affair", cover addressed to Lt. Col. S. Bowman (Prisoner of War), Richmond, Va. bearing C.S.A. 1862, 5¢ blue, Stone 2, position 21 with "spur" variety, margins to cutting, used over "Wilkes-Barre, Pa. May 20" cds (stamp lifted and hinged in place to show) and tied by blue "Petersburg Va. Jan 27" cds, matching black grid at left, reverse with U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose as seal and cancelled by manuscript (torn from opening), Very Fine, A scarce example from the short-lived Petersburg route used only May through September 1862., Ex-Ron Tate; with 2000 P.S.E. certificate. Scott No. 4 Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
On July 22, 1861, the merchant schooner "Enchantress" was captured off Hatteras N.C. by a Union vessel. The 14 Confederate privateers aboard were sent to prison and charged with piracy. Four of the crewmen plus ten more from another privateer were found guilty and sentenced to be hanged. Outraged by the whole affair, especially the verdicts, the Confederate government responded by selecting an equal number of captured high-ranking Union officers and threatened to execute these prisoners of war should the U.S. carry out the sentences of the condemned privateers. Lt. Col. Samuel Bowmand (1818-1889) in the Field & Staff of the 8th PA Infantry, was one of these officers encarcerated at Libby Prison in Richmond. Ultimately, the U.S. government reconsidered the case and decided to treat the captured Confederate privateers not as pirates but prisoners of war. Lt. Col. Bowman was exchanged September 1, 1862 at Aiken's Landing, exchanged for Francis T. Nicholls of the 8th Louisiana. Bowman was captured on June 7, 1861 when he crossed the Potomac in the neighborhood of Williamsport, unattended, to reconnoiter and was suddenly seized by rebel scouts and borne away a prisoner.
Realized: $950
Lot
4490
Confederacy, Ligon's Tobacco Warehouse, Richmond Va., cover addressed to "Lieut. George Kenney, Co. P., Cala Regt., Prisoner of War, Richmond, Va.", entered the mails with blue "Norfolk Va. Nov 30 1861" cds and matching "5" due handstamp, pencil "Ex J" examiner's marking at Fort Monroe; some tiny edge flaws, Very Fine, This is the scarce early Norfolk route. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Kenney is listed as arriving at Ligon's in the Journal of Alfred Ely, the most famous of those held there (a congressman). Mainly because of the relatively smaller prison populations, early mail from the September 1861-May 1862 routed via Norfolk is much rarer than POW mail after 1862. Only 34 covers recorded in Harrison.
Realized: $625
Lot
4491
Confederacy, Ligon's Tobacco Warehouse, Richmond Va., incoming prisoner of war cover addressed to "Lieut. G.W. Kenney, Prisoner of War, Richmond, Virginia" and endorsed "Via Fortress Monroe", bearing U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose, faults, tied by indistinct cds on orange cover, blue "Norfolk, Va. Nov 30, 1861" cds and matching "5" rating handstamp, pencil "E.H." examiner's marking; some edge wear, F.-V.F. Scott No. U.S. #65 Estimate $500 - 750.
A SCARCE EARLY USE FROM A SOUTHERN PRISON VIA FORTRESS MONROE-NORFOLK FLAG-OF-TRUCE MAIL.
Informal flag-of-truce exchanges of mail between Fortress Monroe and Norfolk began in September 1861. It continued until U.S. forces occupied Norfolk on May 9, 1862, which forced a change in route on the Confederate side.
Realized: $525