Lot
1640 
Confederacy, Ligon's Tobacco Warehouse, Richmond, Va. Cover to Rochester, N.Y. postmark with "Washington, D.C. Nov. 17, 1861" with Congressman (and fellow prisoner) Alfred Ely's free frank at top, identifying this cover as from this prison, carried secretly across the lines and mailed at Washington, some minor edge wear including small chip at top, F.-V.F., a wonderful cover. Estimate $500 - 750.
Alfred Ely, was a Congressman from Rochester, N.Y., who in July of 1861, was part of the Union spectator crowd that gathered at Bull Run, the site of the first battle of the Civil War. He and other Washington officials watched the battle unfold from a nearby hill. Like other Northerners, he believed that a Union victory was inevitable, however the Confederate forces prevailed and Ely was captured by the Confederates and hauled off to jail in Richmond.
Ely was often put in a cage on a wagon and ignominiously paraded by the Confederates up and down the streets of Richmond. He was finally released after six months of imprisonment. After his release, he returned to Rochester where he was given a hero's welcome.
Realized: $850