August Internet Auction

(Pre-War) Cheraw S.C., Dec 10, double-circle datestamp with circular grid cancel on 3¢ red (U10) buff Nesbitt entire to Sumter S.C., forwarded with "Sumter S.C., Dec 11, 1860" cds and matching circular grid cancels 3¢ dull red (26) to Darlington S.C., F.-V.F., forwarded just prior to South Carolina's secession.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $100 - 150.

1862 (Jan. 23) Liberty N.Y. to New York City seeking Officer, orange cover beainrg 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Liberty N.Y. Jan 23" cds to Col. Stephen A. Doyle, 13th Regiment Brooklyn Rifles, 14th St. Palace Gardens, New York City, sharp Advertised "ADV. 1 Ct." straightline, reverse with "Yorkville N.Y., Apr 2, 1862" cds and pencil "Not Called For", forwarded to 8th N.Y.V., Washington D.C.; back slit open, reduced at right, F.-V.F.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $50 - 75.

(Battle of New Bern) 1862 (Mar. 18) New Bern N.C. to Wenham, Mass. via Philadelphia, buff cover with sharp "Soldiers Letter, 24th Regt. Mass. Vol. N.E.G." circular endorsement handstamp on buff cover entering mails via ship at Philadelphia with " U.S. Ship, 3cts. " circular handstamp to Wenham Mass., additional pencil " Due 3 " rating, original letter datelined "Newburn City N.C., Mar 18. 1862" with some interesting content " …got ashore last thursday and had a fight friday and landed here the same day…we come ashore in boats about 30 miles from her and got out of the boats up to our middle in waters…after we got ashore it began to rain and rained all night and we marched about 10 miles that day in clay up to our nees…started about daylight and went about 4 miles and came acrost a fort and later four miles long and they began to blaze away at us and we at them for 2 ours and then they run…and burnt a bridge… ", Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

The Battle of New Bern was fought on March 14, 1862, near the city of New Bern, North Carolina, as part of the Burnside Expedition of the American Civil War. The US Army's Coast Division, led by Brigadier General Ambrose Burnside and accompanied by armed vessels from the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, were opposed by an undermanned and badly trained Confederate force of North Carolina soldiers and militia led by Brigadier General Lawrence O'B. Branch. Although the defenders fought behind breastworks that had been set up before the battle, their line had a weak spot in its center that was exploited by the attacking Federal soldiers. When the center of the line was penetrated, many of the militia broke, forcing a general retreat of the entire Confederate force. General Branch was unable to regain control of his troops until they had retreated to Kinston, more than 30 miles (about 50 km) away. New Bern came under Federal control, and remained so for the rest of the war.

Chattanooga Tenn., straightline postmark in blue ties 3¢ rose (65) pair , well centered with s.e. at left, on cover to Albany, N.Y.; minor cover flaws, Fine.

Skinner-Eno No. PM-TS 3   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $75 - 100.

Chattanooga was occupied by Union forces in September 9, 1863.

Memphis Ten. Jan 25, 186, double-circle cds with matching "Due 3" rating on orange cover endorsed "Sol Letter, B., Col 46 Ills." addressed to Baleyville Ills.; reduced sligthtly at right, F.-V.F. Tennessee Soldier's Letter, ex-Gallagher .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $50 - 75.

1863 (Aug. 7) "Maj. E.B. Wight" of the 24th Michigan Vols., 1st Army Corps, sender docketing on 1863 yellow cover bearing 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Detroit, Mich. Aug 7" cds duplex with military address to Capt. A.M. Edwards, 24th Mich Vols, 1st Army Corps, Washington D.C. ; reduced at right, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $50 - 75.

Major E.B. Wight of the 24th Michigan Volunteers was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3, 1863. The 24th sustained heavy casualties. This letter was written from home while he recovered from his injuries.

1863 (Oct. 19) Memphis, Tenn. to Saline, Ohio, circa 1863 legal-size orange cover with bold "Memphis, Tenn. Oct 19" duplex and matching " Due " handstamp with ms. " 12 " rating for double-rate, doubled again for penalty (Act eff. July 1, 1863, Section 26) as no "Soldier's Letter" endorsement present, F.-V.F., ex-Graham (photocopy of exhibit page) .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $75 - 100.

The Ohio State legislature passed an act allowing soldiers in the camps to hold elections, and report results with tally sheets to their home county election officials. The soldiers were also required to send a duplicate tally sheet to their home county clerks of Common Pleas Courts after the election.

The Ohio Gubernatorial Election of 1863 was held Oct. 6th 1863 pitting Copperhead (Democrat) Clement L. Vallandigham verse Union Part (Republicans plus War Democrats) John Brough.

Port Royal, S.C. Oct 26, 1863, occupation cds on cover with matching four-ring target cancel ties 3¢ rose (65) , nicked at top, on buff cover to New Haven Conn., endorsed " From the Townsend Rifles, Co. G 7th. Regt. C.V. " at top left, " 6 " cents due handstamp; flap torn, Very Fine use.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $75 - 100.

Miamiville P.O., Camp Dennison, O. Nov 20, 1863, sharp cds on cover with matching four-ring target canceling 3¢ rose (65) on cover to Coshocton County, Ohio; reduced at left, F.-V.F.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $50 - 75.

Chattanooga, Tenn. December 31, 1863, two-line Union Army field postmark ties 3¢ rose (65) , preuse crease, on orange cover to Romeo, Michigan, F.-V.F. example of this Union Army Field postmark, ex-Cate .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $100 - 150.

1864 (Jun. 2) Camp Gallipolis, Ohio to Jackson C.H., Ohio, small folded letter with "Gallipolis O. Jun 2, 1864" cds and ms. " Due 6 cts " rating, some interesting military content " …there was two companies left here yesterday…it thought the rebels intend making an attack on this place, we dont know what hour we will have to turnout to met the foes…there is a considerable force of rebels between Kanauga and Big Sandy… "; minor soiling, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $100 - 150.

To process Ohio's volunteers, Ohio Gov. Dennison authorized the establishment camps across the state, including Camp Gallipolis at Gallipolis, Ohio. Camp Gallipolis remained in use during 1862, 1863, and 1864.

Fort Smith, Ark. / Dec 15 1864, straight two-line postmark 3¢ rose (65) on yellow cover to Weathersfield Centre, Vermont; reduced slightly at right, F.-V.F. and rare union military occupation straight-line town marking.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

Fort Smith Arkansas was occupied by Union forces On September 1, 1863 and was in the Union postal system from that point to the end of the war. Only a total of 13 covers with the Fort Smith straight line have been recorded, all used in 1864.

1865 (Jun. 14) Berlin, Germany to Richmond Va. via New York, light buff cover with "Berlin, P.E. 14/6" cds and red crayon "12" rating, red "Aachen, Paid 23 Cts., 15/6" credit exchange cds, red "N.York, Br. Pkt. 'Paid' Jun 28" exchange cds, partial "Richmond Va. Jun 29" arrival backstamp, boxed "ADV, Jul 2, 1865" advertised handstamp; top edge tear, F.-V.F., an early post-war transatlantic use to the south .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

Banks Division, Aug 6, neat blue cds ties 3¢ rose (65) on cover to Somerset N.Y.; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine field post use.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $75 - 100.

Independent Line of Telegraph, New Haven Conn., blue imprint on yellow cover with original Feb. 16th 1863 telegraph from New York City with "Come down by next train if possible, Telegraph answer" message to Arthur Robinson, fresh and Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $100 - 150.

Inland and Independent Line of Telegraph., orange imprinted cover pencil docketed "Telegram Feby 17th 65, Genl. Todd" to David McConaughy, Gettysburg Pa., Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $100 - 150.

David McConaughy (1823-1902) was a noted attorney, state senator, cemetery president, and civic leader in Gettysburg Pa. and a part-time intelligence officer for the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was a driving force behind the creation of the Gettysburg National Cemetery following the Battle of Gettysburg.

On May 18, 1864, there appeared in two New York City newspapers what purported to be an official proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln; it called for a levy of 400,000 more men and appointed May 26th as a fay of fasting, humility and prayer. This article was a fraud apparently wired in on the lines of this company and caused great panic. All the officers and managers were placed under military arrest and the line was shut down for several days until the culprit was caught.

U.S. Military Telegraph, Department of the Ohio, circa Feb. 1862 orange imprint cover with " 50¢ " rating addressed to Robt. M. Griffin, 1st Lt. Co. L., 1st Ky Cav., pencil "Filed by AHH, Louisville Ky." at left, F.-V.F., ex-Kramer .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $100 - 150.

First Lt. Robert M. Griffin enlisted September 11, 1861 when Company L of the First Kentucky Cavalry was formed. He resigned February 26, 1862.

United States Military Telegraph, orange imprint cover endorsed " Latest from the Seat of War " addressed to Romney (West) Va. care of John Carroll Esq.; wear and flaws, Fine, ex-Kramer .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $100 - 150.

U.S. Gen'l Hospital, Fort Monroe, Va., orange cover with "Official Business, U.S.A., Medical Department" imprint and "J.H. Frantz, Assist. Surgeon, U.S.A." oval handstamp, entered mails with "Old Point Comfort, Va. Aug 12" cds and "Due 3" soldier's rating to Foxboro Mass., Officier's signature; reduced at left with some paper loss, Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $75 - 100.

(U.S. Military) Commissary General of Prisoners, official business imprint envelope bearing 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Washington D.C., Aug 13, 1863" cds to Chilicothe, Ohio, original "Office of Commissary General of Prisoners" letterhead enclosure stating "In reply to your letter of the 7th inst. asking permission to visit Capt Boyd, a prisoner of war at Johnsons Island. I regret to inform you that under the rules of the Department visits to prisoners of War are not allowed except for some urgent case." and signed by W. Hoffman as Commissioner General of Prisoners, Very Fine and choice.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

This mailing refuses Dr. Massie permission to visit his cousin Capt. Walter M. Boyd captured at Gettysburg July 2-3, 1863. Lieut. Conrad D. Boyd was part of Nelson's Battery attached to the First Brigade, Brig. Gen. R.E. Rodes, Maj. Gen. Hill's division.

U.S. Military Railroads, Division of the Mississippi, imprint on yellow cover bearing 3¢ rose (65) , small flaws, tied by partial "Nashville Ten. May 11" duplex to Philadelphia Pa.; reduced at right, Fine and scarce Civil War imprint.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $50 - 75.

The U.S. Military Railroad (USMRR) was established by the United States War Department as a separate agency to operate any rail lines seized by the government during the American Civil War.