Lenoir N.C., 5c Blue & Orange (49X1). Large right margins, top and bottom framelines touched, just slightly in at left, unusual gap in orange background lines at right (from the edge of the sheet), cancelled by manuscript "X", partly clear blue "Lenoir N.C. Oct. 20" circular datestamp on cover addressed to "Capt. Thomas I. Lenoir, 25th Reg N.C.V. (Clingman's), Wilmington N.C.", neat receipt docketing at left "From W. W. Lenoir in 1861"

VERY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY FRESH AND CLEAN COVER BEARING THE BI-COLORED PROVISIONAL STAMP OF LENOIR, NORTH CAROLINA. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE MILITARY ADDRESS TO A MEMBER OF THE LENOIR'S NAMESAKE FAMILY.

James Harper (1799-1879) served as postmaster of Lenoir from 1841 until sometime in 1862 or 1863. His son, George Washington Finley (G. W. F.) Harper (1834-1921), was the assistant postmaster and, according to the written affidavits, was responsible for carving the woodcut die used to make the provisional stamps and envelopes (see Crown book, pp. 172-178, 651-652). In 1862, G. W. F. Harper enlisted as a private in Co. H, 8th Regiment, N.C. Infantry, and eventually earned the rank of major.

The Lenoir adhesive stamp is one of three bi-colored provisionals issued by Southern postmasters (the others were issued at Baton Rouge La. and Greenvile Ala.). Approximately 29 covers bearing the Lenoir adhesive stamp are known. The same woodcut device was applied directly to envelopes, as evidenced by the one recorded cut square with the single 5c impression (Scott 49XU1) and the unique 5c plus 5c entire (Scott 49XU2).

Thomas Isaac Lenoir and Col. Joseph Cathey assembled a company of North Carolina mountaineers into a fighting unit he called the "Haywood Highlanders." On July 18, 1861, Captain Lenoir led the Haywood Highlanders to Asheville to join the war, and they were eventually absorbed into the 25th N.C. Infantry under the command of Thomas Lanier Clingman. Clingman's Brigade fought at Goldsboro, Battery Wagner, Drewry's Bluff, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Globe Tavern, Fort Fisher and Bentonville.

This cover to Thomas Lenoir was addressed by his brother, Walter Waightstill Lenoir. In 1862 Walter was commissioned into Co. H, 58th N.C. Partisan Rangers. He was promoted to captain and transferred to Co. A, 36th N.C. Infantry on July 18, 1862. A battlefield wound in September 1862 resulted in the amputation of his right leg, and he returned home.

Illustrated in Crown book (page 175). Ex Manning, Brooks, Weatherly and D.K. Collection. With 1972 P.F. certificate

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