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Sale 72: Gems of Philately

Table of Contents

Prisoner of War Covers, Southern Prisons

Lot 433    

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, ex-Warren.
Estimate    $1,500 - 2,000.

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.

Realized: $2,500

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