CSA 11, 10¢ blue, Archer & Daly Imprint Margin Single (& Daly crossed out on the plate), huge margins, tied by MOBILE ALA. DEC 24 double-circle datestamp on cover with military address to Lt. Col. Columbus Sykes, 43rd Miss. Adams Brig. Lorings Div., Stewart's Corp, Army of Tenn.; and crossed out in the address “Care Dr. G.A. Sykes, Aberdeen, Miss.” edge flaws, soiling, reduced slightly at top and no back flap. $225. HOLD-RHF

Dr. George Augustus Sykes (1805-1874) was the father of Lt. Col. Columbus Sykes (1832-1865). Dr. Sykes was one of the earliest settlers of Monroe County, Mississippi, and had amassed a large fortune there prior to the war. In 1860, he owned 85 enslaved persons ranging in age from 2 to 70, and 17 slave houses. Col. Columbus Sykes was commissioned into Co. A., Mississippi 43rd Infantry on May 1,1862. He enlisted as a captain and was promoted to major then LTC. “Lum” was killed when a tree fell on the bivouac where he was sleeping. He lived long enough to bemoan the fact that he was not killed in battle instead of a freak accident.