Lot
4504 
Confederacy, Rock Island Barracks, Rock Island Ill., prisoner of war cover to Natchez, Miss., bearing with U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose tied by "Rock Island, Ill Feb 24, 1864" cds, large "Prisoner's Letter Examined" handstamp (Harrison type Ib) and prisoner's "Chas. L. McAlister, Prisoner of War, Rock Island, Ill." endorsement at lower left, Very Fine. Scott No. U.S. #65 Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $525
Lot
4505
Confederacy, Rock Island Barracks, Rock Island Ill., examiners oval handstamp on pristine oatmeal cover bearing 1861, 3¢ rose, preuse crease, tied by "Rock Island Ill. May 17 '64" duplex, addressed to Miss Kate E. Perry at Rock Island Ill., original prisoner letter begging Miss Perry for articles of clothing (and sizes) of which he is destitute (hat, shirt, shoes) and signed "John R. Rogers, Barrack No. 17, Rock Island, Illinois", Very Fine. Scott No. 65 Estimate $200 - 300.
Lot
4506
Confederacy, Camp Morton, Indianapolis Ind., homemade envelope bearing uncancelled 1861, 3¢ rose and addressed to "James C. Wall, Prisoner of War, Camp Morton, Indianapolis, Indiana", endorsed "By Flag of Truce Via City Point", with pencil "Ex" examiner's marking and "U.S. Currency", reverse with manuscript "Postage enclosed in silver", F.-V.F. Estimate $500 - 750.
Envelopes containing cash for Rebel prisoners in the North were separated from the regular mail at Fortress Monroe and carried to the prisons by military couriers to prevent looting of the contents. Since this routing bypassed the Federal mails, such covers were not canceled. James C. Wall enlisted on August 14, 1863 at Princeton W.V. as a private in F Company 36th Virginia Infantry. He was taken POW June 5, 1864 at Piedmont Va. and confined to Camp Morton on June 7th. He was exchange March 4, 1865.
Realized: $400
Lot
4507
Confederacy, Camp Boyd Military Prison, Louisville Ky., prisoner cover franked with United States 1861 3¢ rose, tiny hidden flaws, tied by blue "Louisville, Ky./Feb. 12, 1865" duplex with target cancel, 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. 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. Governor 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.
References: Pictured in Harrison Book on pg. 141 and Monroe Book on pg. 104.
Lot
4508
Confederacy, 21 Rampart Street, New Orleans La., prisoner-of-war cover addressed to Miss M.M. Fitts at No. 93 Camp Street in New Orleans, censored twice by Federal officers: "Respect forward Z.K. Wood Lt Commdg Prison" on reverse and "Exd. & forwarded Wm Sterling Capt. 1st U.S. Infty. Comiy of Prisoners" on front, clear strike of "New Orleans May 23" cds with matching bold "3" due handstamp, small erosion hole in address panel, Very Fine, ex-Walske. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
A RARE PRISONER-OF-WAR COVER FROM 21 RAMPART STREET, WHICH WAS USED AS A UNION PRISON FROM 1863 TO 1865. FEWER THAN FIVE COVERS ARE RECORDED.
21 Rampart street was a residence that was used to hold Confederate officers, including those captured at Fort Hudson in July 1863 (Harrison p. 143). Captain William H. Sterling was Commissary of Prisoners in 1865 when this cover was sent.
Realized: $1,250
Lot
4509
Confederacy, Prytania Asylum, New Orleans La., cover addressed to "Mrs. C.M. Pritchard, Prytania Asylum, New Orleans La" (second line erased causing some slight erosion), with manuscript "Hd. Qrs. Defences NO" and "Approved M.M.S." censor's marking, entered mails with "New Orleans La. Oct 21 1863" cds and matching "Due 3", reverse with New Orleans Oct. 30 cds and matching "Adv." framed handstamp, manuscript "answered" notation, some light soiling, Very Fine, This is the only recorded cover to or from Prytania Asylum., Gunter. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
Mrs. Pritchard was apparently a Confederate sympathizer encarcerated there temporarily and released by the time this cover arrived. She claimed her letter after it was advertised in the local paper.
Lot
4510
Confederacy, Fort McHenry, Baltimore Md., prisoner-of-war cover to Sgt. Chas. H. Howard of the 48th Ga. Regt., Wright's Brigade, at Richmond Va., "From W.H. Howard Jr., Capt. prisoner's endorsement and manuscript "Ex" examiner's mark with illegible initials, mixed franking with U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose and CSA 1863, 10¢ blue, huge margins all around, both tied by blue "Baltimore Md. Aug 8 '64" cds and "Richmond Va. Aug 26" cds; reduced at left just barely into endorsements, 3¢ with tear, Very Fine appearance, a scarce prisoner-of-war cover from Fort McHenry, ex-Walske. Scott No. 11, U.S. #65 Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Realized: $1,250
Lot
4511
Confederacy, West's Building Hospital, Baltimore Md., 1865 front only from Mt. Nebo N.C. to West's Hospital adversity use made from postal regulations sheet, bearing U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose affixed over spot where 3¢ U.S. silver coin was attached to pay postage, forwarded to Ft. McHenry and then to Point Lookout Md., manuscript "Exd M. F." and crayon "Examined" censor markings; 3¢ stamp defective as often seen when affixed over the coin adhesive, edge nicks, Fine and rare, ex-Walske. Estimate $400 - 600.
More than 2,000 cover fronts are known to Point Lookout because a dealer salvaged them from a waste paper sale in the 1920's (Antrim page 18). This front to West's Hospital with evidence of coin prepayment and twice forwarded is certainly among the more unusual and desirable from that group.
Realized: $400
Lot
4512
Confederacy, Point Lookout, Md., orange buff cover bearing 1861, 3¢ rose tied by target cancel duplexed with "Point Lookout Md. May 13 '64" cds to Miss Carrie C. Morfit at Baltimore Md., endorsed "Lieut. H. J. Cartright, 7th Ala. Vol. C.S.A., Prisoner of War, Point Lookout, May 12th 1864"; reduced slightly at left with bit of side flap missing, Extremely Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
H.J. Cartright shows enlisted as a 3rd Lieut. in F. Company of the 9th Alabama Infantry in the military records. Point Lookout records also show 9th Ala. and admitted to prison on March 1, 1864. The "7 Ala." probably written in error by a scribe. Carrie Morfit was known to have provided aid to soldiers.
Lot
4513
Confederacy, Fort Warren, Boston Harbor Mass., orange cover bearing 1863, 2¢ black tied by "Boston Mass. Sep 18" duplex and addressed to CSA Vice President Alexander H. Stephens at Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, docketed on back "Ed J. Manners…Boston, 18 Sept. 1865", Very Fine and scarce Blackjack use to Vice President Stephens. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Stephens was taken into custody on May 11, 1865 at Crawfordville, shortly after Jefferson Davis and his party were captured at Irwinville Ga. Transported to Fortress Monroe with the Davis party, Stephens and Postmaster General Reagan were sent on to Boston arriving on May 24th. On August 20th he was moved to more comfortable quarters and permitted greater freedom. His release was supported by Senators Sumner and Wilson, Generals Grant and Thoms, and Secretaries Seward and Stanton, and many others. President Johnson released him on October 13, 1865.
Realized: $3,500