Lot
2491 
Confederacy, Charleston S.C., Jan 8 (1865) "Immortal Confederate 600" - Morris Island Prison, double circle postmark and matching large "10" due rating handstamp (CSA type K) on orange prisoner cover endorsed "W. E. Johnson, Prisoner of War" to his wife at Liberty Hill S.C., additional "Flag of Truce" and "Care of Col. John F Iay" endorsements, red manuscript "EX" Union examiner's marking, Very Fine and attractive, ex-Kohn & Karrer.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
A CHOICE USE FROM ONE OF THE IMMORTAL 600 CONFEDERATE PRISONERS MOVED TO MORRIS ISLAND BY FEDERAL FORCES.
The "Immortal 600" was a group of 600 prisoners, all Confederate officers, moved from Fort Delaware to be sent to Morris Island in Charleston harbor in August 1864 and held in open barracks exposed to mortar fire from Confederate batteries.
This extraordinarily inhumane act was the Federal response to an equally repulsive act on the part of Confederates in Charleston, who exposed Union prisoners to bombardment from Federal forces within range of the city. This sorry chapter of the war ended in a stalemate in October 1864. Covers from Confederate prisoners imprisoned on Morris Island are very rare.
Realized: $1,100