3c Claret, Type II (11A). Position 32L3 noted next to stamp, large margins to just in at upper left, neat manuscript squiggle cancel and matching "Fort Bridger UT Feb. 2" territorial postmark on 1858 cover from Major Fitz John Porter to his wife in New York City, with "HEAD QUARTERS, DEPT. OF UTAH./Official business." imprint at top, tiny manuscript "18" at top left, cover expertly repaired around edges including sealed tear through imprint

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE DEPARTMENT OF UTAH TERRITORIAL IMPRINT COVER FROM FORT BRIDGER TO NEW YORK, SENT BY FUTURE UNION GENERAL FITZ JOHN PORTER WHILE ON THE EXPEDITION AGAINST MORMON SETTLERS IN 1857-58.

Major Fitz John Porter, future Civil War general and infamous from the Second Battle of Bull Run, served under future Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston in the expedition against the Mormons in 1857 and 1858. When the expedition arrived at the site of the destroyed Fort Bridger, they camped nearby in winter quarters and reopened a post office named for the Fort. The cover offered here was posted from there by Major Porter to his wife in New York. Mrs. Porter numbered her letters chronologically in order of receipt--number "18" in the upper left-hand corner of the envelope in this case. Since this was not "Official Business" as required by the printing on the envelope, Major Porter applied a stamp for the postage.

With 2001 P.F. certificate

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