CSA 5, 10¢ rose used with manuscript "X" cancel, COBHAM Va. AUG 18 [1862] cds with date in matching manuscript on commercially made cover to Mrs. A. L. Rives, care of Captain Alfred L. Rives, Engineer Office, War Department, Richmond Va.,fresh and Very Fine, Ex David Burton. $700.

Alfred Landon Rives (1830-1903) was born in 1830 in Paris, France, the son of William Cabell Rives (1703-1868), the distinguished minister to France and a member of the Confederate Congress. During the War, Alfred was acting chief engineer for the State of Virginia and later for the Confederate States, which position he held until the end of the War as a Colonel. He was one of the two Chiefs of the Corps of Engineers to General Robert E. Lee. Mrs. A.L. Rives was Sarah Rives (1834-1919), daughter of James B. MacMurdo. William C. Rives was also the original owner of the famed "Bible Block" of six of the 10¢ 1847 Issue.