Lot
4480 
Confederacy, Danville Prison, Building #6, Danville, Va., turned prisoner cover bearing CSA 1863, 10¢ greenish blue cancelled by manuscript on cover addressed to "Thos. O Connell, Prison No. 6, Danville, Virginia" and endorsed "Care Genl Winder, Richmond Va" and manuscript "Exd./H.W." examiner's marking of Henry Wassels, Commissary of Prisoners, stamp torn off at upper right, open on three sides and two flaps missing, Fine, Only two covers are known to or from Building #6. Scott No. 12c Estimate $500 - 750.
Brig. General Henry Walton Wessells graduated West Point in 1833. After serving at Kinston, Goldsboro and New Berne, he was placed over the sub-district of the Albemarle, taking command May 3, 1863. On April 17, 1864, he was attacked at Plymouth N.C. by Gen. Robert F. Hoke where he was vastly outnumbered. After a gallant defense that last three days, Gen. Wessels surrendered. He was taken to Libby prison and from there transferred successively to Danville, Macon and Charleston. At the last-named place he was one of the officers placed under the fire of the Union batteries on Morris Island - the Union "600". On Aug. 3, 1864, he was exchanged, and on Nov. 11 he became Commissary of Prisoners, which post he held until the close of the war. He was promoted Lt. Colonel Feb. 16, 1865 and breveted Colonel to date from April 20, 1864 "for gallant and meritorious services during the rebel attack on Plymouth, N.C." On March 13, he was given the regular army brevet of brigadier-general, He then served on the northwestern frontier till January 1, 1871 when he retired.
The prison at Danville consisted of six tobacco warehouses plus a hospital. They were used November 1863 through the end of the war. This building housed many Federal soldiers captured in the battle of the Crater in Petersburg in July 1864.