Lot
2504 
Confederacy, Old Capital Prison, Washington, D.C., orange prisoner cover bearing U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose cancelled by target with matching "Washington D.C. Apr 12 '64" cds to Warrenton Va., endorsed "Care of Provost Marshall", excellent strike of the circular censor's handstamp "Passed W. P. Wood Supt., Military Prison" (type I), additional manuscript "Exd - & Appd at (PMGC) (AP) J.H.W." examiner's endorsement, no Confederate postage as Warrenton was held by Union forces at this time; edge wear and faults, F.-V.F., a lovely strike of this censor marking, which is normally weak or incomplete; with 2013 P.F. certificate. Estimate $400 - 600.
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 was used mostly for disloyal citizens and spies, such as Belle Boyd and Rose O'Neel Greenhow, as well as captured sailors who had been running the blockade. It was the first Federal prison to hold Confederate prisoners. About a score of prisoners captured at First Bull Run (Manassas) were sent there in July 1861. The largest number of prisoners there at one time was 1,414. By war's end, 397 Confederate prisoners were buried in Washington, D.C.
Realized: $550