CSA 8a, 2¢ pale red, tied neat CHARLESTON S.C. APR 27 (1864) CDS on clean local drop use. Folded letter on blue lined paper addressed to Genl James Simons, Charleston, SC regarding the title to a local property sold by Misses Smith to Mr. Trenholm. Letter is on one side and his much smaller space-saving reply is on the other side ending with his signed “JS” visible along the left side of the face of the cover. Included with the lot is a printed copy of the report of Brig. Gen. James Simons made to Gen. Beauregard regarding operations against Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor from his Head Quarters on Morris Island April 23, 1861 (from an online source). Simons was in command of the Fourth Brigade of Charleston State Militia in active service and under the orders of the governor since December 20, 1860 when SC seceded. The 4th SC Militia was the backbone of the Army in SC until the official CSA Army was formed after the Battle of Fort Sumter. A lovely pristine cover with great history accompanied by 2003 CSA certificate incorrectly calling the shade brown red instead of pale red, Ex Katz and Burton. $1,600.