Sale 1291 — United States Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 25-26 July, 2023
Category — Civil War Military Mails: Confederate Military and Govt. Figures
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
582
William Barksdale. Mexican War officer, U.S. Representative (1853-61), secessionist and Confederate General, killed at Gettysburg, bold signature on Nov. 13, 1845 datelined folded letter from Columbus Miss. to Treasury Secretary Robert Walker in Washington D.C., relating to an appointment, cover with red "Columbus Mi. Nov. 13"circular datestamp and matching "10" handstamp, "Free" written over handstamp, crossed out with blue pen and re-rated "10" in manuscript, letter is neatly tipped in to border paper (could easily be removed), Very Fine cover and letter from this famous general, immortalized by his brigade's attack near the Peach Orchard at Gettysburg, Barksdale led the way on horseback and was hit by a cannon ball and a bullet to the chest, his dying words were reported to be "I am killed! Tell my wife and children that I died fighting at my post."
E. 500-750
0
583
P. G. T. Beauregard. Officer in Mexican War, Confederate general, manuscript "charge to Genl. G.T.B." at top of buff cover to Miss Margaret Stuart (cousin of Robert E. Lee's wife) at Hampstead Va., edge and corner faults just touching manuscript, missing backflap, the signature is strong and Very Fine, a rare field frank from this illustrious general
E. 500-750
0
Back to Top584
Judah P. Benjamin. U.S. Senator from Louisiana (1853-61), Confederate States Attorney General, Secretary of War and Secretary of State, "J. P. Benjamin" signature on cover to former U.S. House Speaker, Confederate Provisional Congress President and General Howell Cobb, marked "Private", two minor edge stains, still Very Fine, also accompanied by a second cover datestamped at St. Martinsville La. and addressed to Benjamin in Richmond, fresh and Very Fine
Image 2
E. 500-750
0
Back to Top585
Braxton Bragg. Three covers from or to General Bragg, first is 3c Nesbitt entire with docketing indicating sent by Bragg in Dec. 1859, other two are Confederate uses from Aug. and Dec. 1861, Thibodeaux La. circular datestamps and addressed to Bragg in Pensacola Florida, one is a 3c Star Die entire which paid no postage, both handstamped "Paid 5", the star die with faults, overall Fine-Very Fine trio relating to this general, who was commander of the Confederate Army of Tennessee
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E. 400-500
0
Back to Top586
Preston Brooks. Mexican War officer, U.S. Representative from South Carolina (1853-57), perpetrator of the infamous "Caning of Charles Sumner" in 1856, "P Brooks MC" frank at top of buff envelope addressed to Schenectady N.Y., missing backflap and small chunk removed at top not affecting the frank which is Very Fine, the ardent pro-slavery Brooks is well known in American history for the vicious Senate floor attack on Charles Sumner, which was one of the events that helped lead to the Civil War, less well known is that he was expelled from the University of South Carolina for threatening local police with firearms and was wounded in an 1840 duel with future Texas Senator Louis Wigfall
E. 300-400
0
Back to Top587
James Conner. Confederate General and Attorney General of South Carolina, bold "Jas Conner Brig Gen" signature on oatmeal field cover to his wife in Camden S.C., manuscript "Due 10", some edgewear, still Very Fine and scarce field signature from this general, who was present and active from the 1861 bombardment of Fort Sumter to the 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaigns, where he was severely wounded and lost a leg
E. 500-750
0
Back to Top588
Jefferson Davis. President of the Confederacy, bold "Jefferson Davis Sec of War" free frank at top of legal-size cover with "Washington Cy. D.C. Free Dec. 22" (1856) circular datestamp, addressed to Rev. John W. French at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point N.Y., accompanied by 8-page photocopy of Davis's letter to French, in which he is returning two separate letters from French to Davis, dated Dec. 10 and Dec. 12, 1856, 18 pages in total and these two original letters from French accompany the lot, also accompanied by a handwritten dictionary presumably also written by French, cover with some soiling and edgewear, backflap tear extends slightly to front not affecting the free frank, otherwise Very Fine and rare with the letters, after serving as the chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, French was appointed chaplain of the U.S. Military Academy in 1856, serving there until his death in 1871
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E. 750-1,000
0
Back to Top589
Jefferson Davis. President of the Confederacy, clear "Jefferson Davis Sec of War" free frank at top of cover with "Washington Cy. D.C. Free Jan. 6, 1857" circular datestamp, addressed to Boston, minor edge toning at bottom, Very Fine, sent during Davis's tenure as U.S. Secretary of War (1853-57), ex Antrim
E. 400-500
0
Back to Top590
Jefferson Davis. President of the Confederacy, clear "Free J Davis U.S.S." at top of cover with red "Washington D.C. Aug. 16" circular datestamp with attached "Free", addressed to Philadelphia, small spindle hole at left and toned along that edge not affecting the free frank, otherwise Very Fine, sent during Davis's tenure as a U.S. Senator
E. 500-750
0
Back to Top591
Nathan Bedford Forrest. Confederate cavalry commander, first Grand Wizard of the KKK, addressee "Care of Col. N.B. Forrest, Fort Donelson Tenn." on buff cover to Dr. Van Wyck (regimental surgeon), blue "Huntsville Ala. Nov. 6, 1861" double-circle datestamp with matching "Paid 5", also with pencil "Due 5" overstruck by "Due 5" handstamp, minor edgewear and small tear at top, still Very Fine, ex Kohn and Dr. Brandon, according to Patricia Kaufmann's website, Dr. Van Wyck was murdered (the term used by first-hand reports) by a local citizen while riding next to Lt. Col. Forrest in Marion, Kentucky, in December 1861
E. 750-1,000
0
Back to Top592
French Forrest. U.S. Naval officer who fought in the War of 1812 and Mexican War, Confederate States Navy Captain, addressee on blue cover with "Confederate States of America Office of Orders and Detail, Navy Department" imprint (ND-14), addressed to "Flag Officer Fr Forrest, Commanding off Richmond Va.", pencil docketing above "Lt. Comdt. Rochelle, Steamer Nansemond" (James River Squadron), minor edge toning, still Very Fine, Forrest was one of the longest serving Civil War officers, having served in the U.S. Navy for 50 years before joining the Confederacy
E. 400-500
0
Back to Top593
John D. Imboden. Virginia state legislator, Confederate general, "OB JD Imboden Col." at top of cover addressed to Lt. General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, commanding 2nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, minor soiling, appears Very Fine, signed Brian Green, Imboden had a distinguished military career during the war, later in life he served as commissioner for both the 1876 Centennial Exposition and the 1893 Columbian Exhibition, we wonder if he purchased any stamps
E. 400-500
0
Back to Top594
John D. Imboden. Virginia state legislator, Confederate general, "OB JD Imboden Brig Genl" at top of homemade cover to Major Gilman, Mt. Jackson Va., indistinct strike of Va. circular datestamp and manuscript "Due 20", edgewear and nicks, otherwise Fine, Imboden had a distinguished military career during the war, later in life he served as commissioner for both the 1876 Centennial Exposition and the 1893 Columbian Exhibition
E. 300-400
0
Back to Top595
Joseph E. Johnston. Buff cover with "Head Qrs. Department, Northern Va." two-line imprint addressed in the hand of Commanding General Joseph E. Johnston to Brigadier General Jubal A. Early, "To Brigr Genl. J. A. Early, Comg. 4th Divn A.P.", sent from Winchester Va. between October 1861 and April 1862, flaps opened and slightly refolded, Very Fine, a rare military cover from Gen. Johnston to Gen. Early, ex Seacrest and Walske, with 1990 Pannick certificate incorrectly attributing the cover to General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson
E. 1,000-1,500
0
Back to Top596
John McIntosh Kell. Mexican War officer, member of Commodore Perry's 1853 Japan expedition, commander Confederate Navy, first officer of the famed commerce raider Alabama, two covers, first small mourning-bordered cover addressed to "Commander J.M. Kell C.S. Navy, Richmond Virginia" from his wife, 10c Blue, Die B (12) with large to full margins, tied by "Macon Ga." double-circle datestamp, Extremely Fine, second cover with pair 10c Blue, Local (7), tied by "Savannah Ga." circular datestamp and addressed to Mrs. Kell in Macon, probably in the hand of Commander Kell, flap tears but still Very Fine, any mail to or from Kell is scarce, his is an illustrious name in Confederate naval history, his ship, the raider C.S.S. Alabama claimed 65 prizes valued at nearly $6,000,000 -- in 1862 alone 28 were claimed, Alabama was finally sunk by the U.S.S. Kearsarge in 1864, Kell survived the sinking and lived until 1900
Image 2
E. 750-1,000
0
Back to Top597°
Robert E. Lee. Bold signature "R E Lee" on folded cover headed "War Dept." to Captain William A. Eliason, Corps of Engineers at Old Point Comfort Va., manuscript "Engineer Department" in a different hand at top and another military endorsement from a Capt. Harris, red "Washington D.C. Apr. 16" (1837) circular datestamp with matching "FREE" straightline, docketing on back dated April 15, 1837, states that the letter was from "Lieut. R. E. Lee" and was an acknowledgement of his receipt of powers of attorney for the first quarter of 1837, slightly toned file folds are inconsequentialVERY FINE ROBERT E. LEE FREE FRANK AS A LIEUTENANT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY, SENT EARLY IN HIS CAREER.
This cover was franked early in Robert E. Lee's career as a U.S. Army officer. After graduating from West Point in 1829, Lee served in various engineering assignments before he was posted to the chief engineer's office in Washington D.C., from 1834-37. This letter was written near the end of that assignment. Shortly afterward he was assigned to supervise the engineering works for the St. Louis harbor and the upper Mississippi and Missouri rivers.
Ex Creighton C. Hart and Ambassador J. William Middendorf
E. 5,000-7,500
0
Back to Top598
James Longstreet. Mexican War officer, Confederate General, Lee's "Old War Horse", two covers, first is a postal card with letter to Col. Taylor in Norfolk Va., datelined Gainesville Ga. Aug. 26, 1892 and signed by Longstreet, one corner nicked and other corners with creases, the signature and writing are clear and Very Fine, second cover with House of Representatives corner card and free franked "J Wheeler", addressed to General Longstreet in Washington D.C., 1899 Washington circular datestamp on back, reduced at left, otherwise Very Fine, Joseph Wheeler was a Confederate general who served in the U.S. House of Representatives between 1881 and 1900, and became one of four former Confederate generals to serve as a U.S. general in the Spanish-American War (the others were Fitzhugh Lee, Thomas Rosser and Matthew C. Butler -- see the Spanish-American War section of this sale for letters from Wheeler and Lee)
Image 2
E. 500-750
0
Back to Top599
William Dorsey Pender. Confederate general, mortally wounded near Cemetery Hill at Gettysburg, "Wm Pender Col. 6th N.C. Troops" signature at top of homemade cover to Mrs. Pender at Wilmington N.C., "Bristoe Station Va. Nov. 22" (1861) circular datestamp and manuscript "Due 5", slight soiling, Very Fine, accompanied by transcript of letter which was enclosed with this cover from then Col. Pender to his wife with nice war content, Pender was one of the most promising of Lee's commanders and was promoted to major general at age 29, he was shot in the leg on July 2 near Cemetery Hill and died two weeks later, Lee stated "the loss of Major-General Pender is severely felt by the army and the country. He served with this army from the beginning of the war, and took a distinguished part in all its engagements. Wounded on several occasions, he never left his command in action until he received the injury that resulted in his death. His promise and usefulness as an officer were only equaled by the purity and excellence of his private life", signed Brian Green
E. 750-1,000
0
Back to Top600
Paul Jones Semmes. Confederate general, mortally wounded at the Wheatfield at Gettysburg, "Paul J. Semmes Brig. Gen." signature at top of homemade cover to Mrs. Semmes in Atlanta Ga., endorsed "Camp near Winchester Va. 29 Oct. '62", with "Winchester Va. Oct. 31" circular datestamp and "due 20" in manuscript, edge faults and a bit of ink erosion, otherwise Fine, signed Brian Green, Semmes was shot in the thigh while leading his brigade in a charge across the Wheatfield at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, he died eight days later, shortly before his death Semmes told a war correspondent, "I consider it a privilege to die for my country"
E. 500-750
0
Back to Top601
Richard Scott "Dick" Taylor. Son of President Zachary Taylor, Confederate general, "R. Taylor M.G." signature at top of buff cover to Madame Bringier, Chicot Ark., no postal markings, fresh and Very Fine, signed Brian Green, Taylor married into the wealthy Bringier family shortly after his President father died in office, Taylor's sister Sarah Knox Taylor was the first wife of Jefferson Davis, his uncle Joseph Pannell Taylor, younger brother of the late President, served as a Union general during the war
E. 500-750
0
Back to Top602
Edward Dorr Tracy. Confederate general, killed at the Battle of Port Gibson on May 1, 1863, signature "From E.D. Tracy, Lieut. Col. 19th Reg. Ala." at top of cover with bold "Mobile Ala. Dec. 10, 1861" double-circle datestamp and "5" in circle handstamp, addressed to Mrs. Tracy in Huntsville Ala, reduced at left and minor edgewear, still Very Fine and scarce
E. 500-750
0
Back to Top603
Louis T. Wigfall. U.S. Senator from Texas, Fire Eater, Confederate general, Confederate Senator from Texas, addressee on cover with "Confederate States Head Quarters, Department of So. Ca., Ga. and Fla. Official Business" semi-official imprint (WD-ZA-24), "Charleston S.C. Mar. 30" circular datestamp and "Paid 10" in circle handstamp, addressed to Wigfall at North Garden Depot Va., pencil notation on back indicates written by Gen. Beauregard but this is unverified, minor edgewear and small tear at top, still Very Fine, Wigfall shot Preston Brooks (of the Caning of Charles Sumner infamy) in a duel in 1840
E. 300-400
0
Back to Top604
Confederate Military Mails, Balance of the David Bernstein Collection. Balance of the Bernstein collection in eight thick binders, more than 750 covers arranged in alphabetical order, each cover relates to a Confederate general or in some cases a lower ranking officer or other official, most bear a military address which includes the general's name but some are addressed or signed by the general or official himself, wonderful range of covers, frankings, stamps, uses and content, some with multiple names, some are post-war (or even pre-war) but many originate during the war, the most valuable items were removed and are offered as individual lots in this sale but what remains is an extraordinary assemblage of Confederate military history
VERY FINE. AN EXTENSIVE AND HISTORIC COLLECTION OF CONFEDERATE MILITARY-RELATED MAILS.
This is a rare opportunity to acquire an A-Z collection of covers naming Confederate generals or other officials. We recommend reviewing our website PDF, which contains scans of all the pages.
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E. 15,000-20,000
0
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