Lot
1170 
Confederacy, Pioneer Exp., Columbus, Miss., Aug 26, 1865, double-circle datestamp ties 3¢ rose (65) on Whitfield, Billups & Co. Cotton Factors corner card cover to Gen. J.V. Harris, Columbus, Mississippi; small edge tear at left; no backflap, a Very Fine and rare use. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Jeptha Vining Harris (1816-1899) was a Brigadier General (Aug. 1862 - Aug. 1863) and later, after a year in private life, a colonel (Aug. 1864 - 1865) in the Mississippi militia, who fought in conjunction with the Confederate Army in Mississippi during the Civil War. His militia brigade served at Vicksburg, Mississippi during the Siege of Vicksburg. Harris and the brigade were part of the Confederate army surrendered to Union Army forces under then Major General Ulysses S. Grant on July 4, 1863. After being exchanged in July and mustered out in August, 1863, Harris returned to civilian life. On August 26, 1864, Harris was commissioned as a colonel of militia and given command of forces at Macon, Mississippi.
Reference: Daniel Knowles, "The Pioneer Express Company", Civil War Philatelist, Vol. 66 No. 3, 3rd Qtr 2021, pp. 14-27, Census #10.
Realized: $525