CSA 13, 20¢ green with 4 nice margins all around, used with pencil manuscript cancel of “Beaver dam Dept Va Oct 3rd 64”(Hanover County) on cover to “Brig Genl Taliferro James Island, Charleston South Carolina.” Copy of VPHS catalog entry for Beaver Dam included for handwriting comparison. Ex John Vagnetti. $750.

William Booth Taliaferro (December 28, 1822 – February 27, 1898) was a U.S. Army officer, lawyer, legislator, and Confederate general rising to the rank of Major General during the War. Taliaferro was born to a prominent family of Italian-English origin who settled in Virginia in the 17th century. He was the nephew of James A. Seddon who was CSA Secretary of War. Taliaferro attended both Harvard and William and Mary and had an illustrious military career. During the period this cover was sent, Taliaferro (pronounced Tolliver) was in command of the department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida as commander of the district of Savannah. During the famous assault on Battery Wagner, July 1863, he had charge of the defenses and troops on Morris island, and next month he took command of a division on James island.