Federal Provost Marshal Prison, Knoxville Tenn. Brown prisoner-of-war cover from Union-controlled Knoxville to Louisville Ky., censored with manuscript Forwd. S.P. Carter Brig Genl. & PMG" and "L. A. Gratz aaag", 3c Rose (65) tied by target and "Knoxville Ten. Feb 1 '64" circular datestamp

VERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY COVER KNOWN FROM THE FEDERAL PROVOST MARSHAL PRISON IN KNOXVILLE.

Following the Fall 1863 Knoxville Campaign and the September 2, 1863, occupation of Knoxville by Federal forces, the former Confederate prison was taken over and used as a Provost Marshal Prison. Large numbers of citizen prisoners were held there during 1864. (Harrison p. 205). Samuel Powhatan Carter was a U.S. Navy officer who served in the Union Army as a brevet major general during the war and after the war became a rear admiral -- the first American officer to be awarded both ranks. After the occupation of Knoxville, he was also made Provost Marshal General of the Knoxville Division. Major L. A. Gratz served as examiner and acting assistant adjutant general. Harrison records only a single cover sent to the Knoxville Prison and this is the only one we record from the Prison.

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