CSA 9a, 10¢ milky blue T-E-N (3 margins) tied PITTSBORO NC MAY 22 circle datestamp on fresh cover to Capt. Claude B. Denson, Camp of Top(igraphical) Engineers C.S., Care of Capt. Jno. Gran. C.S.P.A. Magnolia, Duplin Co. N.C., tiny cover corner repair at upper right. Ex Burton. $1,000.

Capt. Claude B. Denson operated Franklin Military Institute, which was located a few miles east of Faison, NC. It was organized a short time prior to the Civil War. Practically all of the students entered the service of the Confederacy in a company commanded by Capt. Denson, who served in Co. E, 20th North Carolina State Troops, the only engineering troop in North Carolina. He was an engineering graduate from VMI and assigned various engineering duties in NC and VA. He surrendered in Greensboro 1865. He was a teacher, the principal at Pittsboro Scientific Academy and Raleigh Male Academy, and secretary of the NC State Agricultural Society and the State Board of Public Charities.