The C.A. Stillions Collection of Washington D.C. Postal History

Carroll Prison, cover front bearing 2¢ black (73) tied by "Washington D.C., Dec 27 '63" cds duplex to Prisoner of War James Roane, Carroll Prison, Washington D.C . endorsed "Paid Lyons" at lower left, endorsed " The prisoner whose name is on the back of this letter has been released on taking the oath of allegiance, W.P.W., Supt. C.P. ", front pasted on folded sheet with "1863, Washington Decr. 28. Major Turner to Lord Lyons, Recd Decr 29", Very Fine and unusual prisoner of war use, ex-Rorke ; with 1978 P.F. certificate.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $300 - 400.

Warren P. Wood was the Superintendent of Capitol Prison. After the war, he would become the Chief of the U.S. Secret Service.

Old Capital Prison, Washington, D.C., prisoner cover bearing 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Washington, D.C., Jun 23, 1863" cds, neat strike of " Passed, Military Prison, W.P. Wood Supt. " circular examiner's handstamp; reduced slightly at right, 3¢ couple perf flaws, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $300 - 400.

Old Capitol Prison was the building that served as a temporary Capitol after Washington, D.C. had been burned during the War of 1812. W. P. Wood was the Superintendent and was also a special agent of the government. Much intelligence information was gathered by him from the prisoners for the Union.

Old Capitol Prison, Washington D.C., mostly clear strike of " Passed W. P. Wood Supt. Military Prison " examiner's circular handstamp on orange prisoner-of-war drop cover bearing 2¢ black (73) , tied by four-ring cancel duplexed with "Washington D.C. Oct 22" cds, 1864 docketing at left, barely reduced at right, Very Fine, ex-Faust, Flannery .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $750 - 1,000.

A SCARCE BLACK JACK PRISONER-OF-WAR USE FROM THIS WASHINGTON D.C. MILITARY PRISON.

Richland Jail, Columbia S.C., adversity cover made from a printed math table with strikes of Columbia S.C. Provisional "Paid" in circle and "10" handstamps , sent by prisoner-of-war to Dennysville Me., endorsed "Lt. John P Sheahan, Prisoner of War, Columbia S.C.", manuscript censor mark " Exd RD Senn, Capt Post Guard ", carried out of the prison by an exchanged prisoner with " Politeness of Capt Sherman U.S.A. " endorsement, "Washington D.C. Dec. 17 '64" double-circle datestamp and "Due 3" handstamp, provisional "PAID" in circle handstamp overwritten with " C.S.A. " by U.S. postal clerk, some edgewear and backflap partially split, Very Fine, ex-Walske .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $4,000 - 6,000.

A WONDERFUL PRISONER-OF-WAR ADVERSITY COVER CARRIED BY AN EXCHANGED UNION SOLDIER FROM THE RICHLAND JAIL IN COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA.

John P. Sheahan enlisted in Company K, Maine 1st Cavalry Reg., on Aug. 23, 1862. He was commissioned an officer in Company E, Maine 31st Infantry Reg., on March 11, 1864. His unit was involved in numerous engagements during 1864, including the Battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor and the Crater. He was listed as a prisoner at Richland Jail in The New York Times, December 23, 1864. This envelope was prepared with provisional C.S.A. postage, but it never entered the Columbia S.C. post office, thus has no datestamp. It was carried across the lines by Capt. Sumner U. Sherman, who was unexpectedly exchanged.