Sale 116: The Civil War Sale

Lot 4532    

Confederacy, College Hospital, Columbia, S.C., cover addressed to Capt. C.T. Bowen with his written request to Capt. R.D. Senn, Prison Commander for exchange due to poor health, returned to him with written notation to put in it the form of a request for transfer which he would approve, with original letter rewritten on Nov. 8, 1864 as per instructions of Prison Commander, plus a third letter datelined "College Gen. Hospital Nov. 28^th 1864", to Capt. R.D. Senn, Prison Commander written by Capt. Bowen, requesting a transfer for two fellow prisoners, one recovering from yellow fever and other from typhoid, Very Fine, great letters showing the many hardships, quite unusual, Pictured in Harrison's book, "Prisoners Mail From The American Civil War" on page 56.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Realized: $1,150

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Lot 4533    

Confederacy, Florence Stockade, Florence, S.C., photocopy of original letter datelined "Camp Florence Military Prison, S.C. Oct. 20, 1864" with original cover addressed to Urbana, Ohio, endorsed with two different manuscript "Examined" (Confederate & Union Censors) markings, postmarked by two strikes on "Old Point Comfort, Va. Dec. 14" (1864) double circle with matching "Due 6" in circle, also includes an earlier patriotic cover "The Girl I Left Behind" (W837, Mumford imprint), used prior to capture, franked with USA 3¢ (65), tied by pen strokes (which may not belong), lot includes many photocopies of letters and official documents relating to Pvt. Joseph Diltz, Very Fine and rare.
Scott No. 65    Estimate $500 - 750.

A RARE PRISONER OF WAR COVER OF WHICH ONLY 8 ARE RECORDED, PRISONER COVER PICTURED IN HARRISON'S BOOK, "PRISONERS MAIL FROM THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR" ON PAGE 60.

Written by Pvt. Joseph Diltz who was sent to Andersonville, survived and was discharged, later making claims for war injuries (see documented photocopies).

Selected images:
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Realized: $500

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Lot 4534    

Confederacy, Marine Hospital, Charleston, S.C., buff cover to Philadelphia with manuscript endorsement at bottom left "Officer's Letter, Prisoner of War, Charleston, S.C." with additional manuscript "Per Flag of Truce" across top and vertical endorsement at right "Soldier's Letter, Stewart L. Woodward, Agent for Exchange", CSA manuscript "Exd" censor at top, postmarked "Port Royal, S.C. Oct. 6, 1864" double circle and "Due 3" straight line handstamp, included is original enclosure datelined "Marine Hospital, Charleston S.C., Sept 21^st 1864" stating "I don't know hardly what to tell you about exchange some think we will be out soon, others do not but all I hope is that we may soon be released", cover light circular stain, typical for these abused covers, Very Fine; signed Brian Green.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

ONE OF THE PRISONER OF WAR RARITIES WITH ONLY THREE KNOWN, PICTURED IN HARRISON'S BOOK, "PRISONERS MAIL FROM THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR" ON PAGE 47.

Realized: $1,600

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Lot 4535    

Confederacy, Marine Hospital, Charleston, S.C., buff cover to Newport, R.I. from "Wm. McDurfee, Lt., Co. A, 5th R.I. Art., Prisoner of War, Charleston, R.I." at upper left, entered U.S. mails with "Port Royal, S.C. Oct. 6, 1864" double circle postmark and "Due 3" handstamp, manuscript endorsement "Stewart L. Woodford, Lt. Col. & Agent for Exchange" at left with manuscript censor "Exd" (by Hugh Hamilton Rogers) and additional light pencil notation "Ex" at right, receiving "Newport, R.I. Oct. 17, '64" double circle postmark, slightly reduced at right, Very Fine and rare, ex-Walske.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

AN OUTSTANDING PRISON OF WAR COVER FROM THIS SMALL HOSPITAL USED BRIEFLY TO HOUSE FEDERAL OFFICERS. ONE OF ONLY THREE COVERS RECORDED BY HARRISON.

Many of Union officers held here, made up in part the famous "Charleston 600" held under fire of their own guns on Morris Island.

Realized: $950

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Lot 4536    

Confederacy, Richland Jail, Columbia, S.C., 1863 cover sent by Ensign Myron W. Tilson, U.S. Navy, a POW at Richland Jail to Pembroke, Mass, postmarked Old Point Comfort, Va. Dec. 10 (1863) double circle postmark with manuscript endorsement "Prisoners of War Letter per Flag of Truce, via Richmond, Va.", Confederate censor manuscript on backflap "Approved R.N. Richborough, Lt. Comdg Post Guard, Columbia", some toning, mostly along fold, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Realized: $425

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Lot 4537    

Confederacy, Richland Jail, Columbia, S.C., buff cover to Washington, D.C. with manuscript endorsement "From Capt R.G. Richards Prisoner of War" with Censor's endorsement "exd George C. Gill, Lt. Post Guard", postmarked "Old Point Comfort, Va. June 17" double circle (error in date, should be 1/17), endorsed a bottom left "In care of Comm. of Ex'ge Savannah, Geo.", included is lengthy original enclosure datelined "Richland Jail, Columbia, S.C., Nov. 15th/64" to Lt. Saml. Haynes, Co. G. 45th Regt, P.V.V., 9th Army Corp stating, "it is very difficult to find writing material, we have in having kindly guards and good shelter…I am about to ask a favor…I am quite destitute of clothing", cover a bit reduced at top, Very Fine.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Realized: $500

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Lot 4538    

Confederacy, Richland Jail, Columbia, S.C., inner cover addressed to William Hill in Manchester, N.H., postmarked "Old Point Comfort, Va. Jan 17" (1865) cds with matching "Due 6" in circle handstamp, endorsed manuscript censor "Exd" (by Lt. Geo. C. Hill, Post Guard), cover sent by Capt. Varnum Hill to his father, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Realized: $240

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Lot 4539    

Confederacy, Roper Hospital, Charleston, S.C., Adversity prisoner of war cover, made from a printed doctor's bill, postmarked "Port Royal, S.C. Sep 5, 1864" double circle and "Due 3" straightline, manuscript "Via Flag of Truce" and "Exd. H.H.R." (Confederate censor Lt. Hugh H. Rogers), Written by John W. Austin, 5th Iowa Inf., a POW at Roper Hospital, only 28 known, Pictured in Harrison's book, "Prisoners Mail From The American Civil War" on page 49.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

Realized: $675

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Lot 4540    

Confederacy, Roper Hospital, Charleston, S.C., Adversity prisoner of war cover made from an insurance form, addressed to Col. Hoyt, 152^nd Pa Vol, Charleston Harbor, vertical manuscript endorsement at left "Prisoner of War" and additional "Per Flag of Truce Boat" and "Ex" (Confederate Censor marking), included is short original enclosure datelined "C.S. Mil. Prison, Roper Hospl. Charleston, S.C. Aug. 19, 64", letter asking "per first opportunity ten (10) dollars in gold", Very Fine, extremely attractive and quite unusual.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

By Flag of Truce across the bay to Morris Island. No postage necessary as never entered U.S. mail.

Realized: $900

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Lot 4541    

Confederacy, Roper Hospital, Charleston S.C., cover to addressed to Erie, Pa. franked with 3¢ Rose (65) tied by "Port Royal, S.C. Sep 17, '64" double circle postmark and target, endorsed at top left "Lt. Col. McCreary, Prisoner of War, Charleston, S.C." and manuscript "Via Flag of Truce" at lower left, pencil notation "Exam" (CSA censor) and "Ex H." (Col. E.N. Howell, U.S. censor), cover with staining along left edge.
Scott No. 65    Estimate $400 - 600.

Excellent Flag-of-Truce cover exchanged via C.S.A.-controlled Pocotaligo and U.S.-controlled Port Royal, much rarer than mail exchanged in Virginia.

Realized: $725

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