Lot
4295 
Confederacy, Mesilla N.M. Feb 16, cds and manuscript "Due 10c" rating at left on buff cover with soldier's endorsement "A.M. Jackson esq., Asst Adjt. Genl., P.A. C.S." at bottom left and addressed to T.J. Word, Palestine, Texas; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine. Estimate $10,000 - 15,000.
A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE "MESILLA N.M." DATESTAMP USED ON THE FIRST DAY OF MAIL SERVICE FROM THE NEWLY-FORMED CONFEDERATE TERRITORY OF ARIZONA.
In July 1861, Lt. Col. John Baylor raised the Confederate flag at Fort Bliss, later occupying Fort Fillmore and the town of Mesilla. On August 1st, he issued a proclamation establishing the Confederate Territory of Arizona, naming Mesilla as its capital. In January 1862, the Confederate Congress passed a bill establishing the Territory of Arizona. President Davis signed the bill in January and issued his presidential proclamation shortly thereafter.
Alexander M. Jackson (1823-1889) was on the staff of Henry Hopkins Sibley as Assistant Adjutant General during the disastrous New Mexico campaign. He practiced law in Mississippi until the outset of the Mexican War in 1846, when he joined the 2nd Regiment of the Miss. Vols. under command of Col. Rueben Davis and served as Captain of Company E. He resumed the practice of law after the war and later became involved in politics. In 1857, he was appointed by President Buchanan as Secretary of New Mexico Territory. At the outbreak of the Civil War he resigned and joined the Confederate Army. He Served as Adjutant-General of the Sibley Brigade and participated in the New Mexico and Arizona campaign. His health became poor, so in 1864 President Davis appointed him Chief Justice of Arizona. Jackson never assumed that post since the Confederacy lost control of the Territory.
According to specialists in Arizona and New Mexico postal history, there are fewer than ten examples known of the Mesilla, N.M. occupation marking. The Mesilla post office operated during the Independent Period of March 16, 1861 to February 13, 1862. On September 25, 1861, the CSA Postmaster General appointed William D. Skillman as postmaster at Mesilla. The Post Office Dept. entered into a contract with George H. Giddings for carriage of mail, effective Nov. 1, 1861, over CSA Route 8076 twice weekly between San Antonio and Mesilla, and weekly between El Paso and Messila, and fortnightly between Mesilla and San Diego. President Davis approved an act to organize the Territory of Arizona on February 14, 1862. This cover was sent on the first mail service after the formation of the Territory.
Realized: $28,000