Naval Commandant's Office, Charleston, S.C., Official Business., semi-official imprint (CSA Catalog ND-26, CV $1,000) on legal-size cover addressed to Lieut. Commanding J.H. Rochelle, of the ironclad C.S. St[eame]r Stono, delivered outside the mails in 1863. Ex Kathleen Staples. Virtually identical cover sold in Rumsey sale 59 in December 2014 for $5,750. A comparative bargain at $1,250.

James H. Rochelle was born in Virginia. Appointed to the Confederate Navy from Virginia. Formerly lieutenant, U. S. Navy. Served as lieutenant in the Virginia Navy. First lieutenant, C. S. Navy, June 6, 1861. First lieutenant. October 18, 1861, to rank from October 2, 1862. First lieutenant Provisional Navy, lune 2, 1864, to rank from January 6, 1864. Served on C. S. S. Teaser, James River Squadron, 1861. C. S. S. Nansemond, 1863-64. Charleston Squadron, 1863-64. Abroad, 1864. Commanded the C. S. S. Palmetto State, 1864-65. Temporary command of the C.S.A. Chicora. C.S.S. Stono 1863. In an attempt to run the blockade with cargoes of cotton on navy account, the steamers Stono and Oconee were lost, the former in Charleston Harbor, the latter at sea. The Stono, chased by the enemy, was stranded on the breakwater near Fort Moultrie, and the Oconee, in heavy weather, foundered. The officers and men were saved, but one of the Oconee's boats with 4 officers and 11 men was subsequently captured by the enemy. Confederates later burned the wreck when abandoning Charleston at the end of the war. In 1981, Clive Cussler and NUMA reported the wreck off Morris Island under 8 feet of silt. In the early days of 1865, Rochelle assumed the duties of Commandant of Midshipmen and Executive Officer of the C.S.S. Patrick Henry, the school ship of the Confederate Naval Academy, until it was disbanded on May 2, 1865. An image of him is included from Scharf’s History of the Confederate States Navy. Much more information available online and in navy histories.