Mobile, Ala., 5¢ blue 58X2, two singles tied together by Dec 21, 1861 town postmark on cover to S. M. Meek, Lieutenant Colonel, 1st Vol. Regiment of Mississippi, Bowling Green, Kentucky. Right stamp with pre-printing paper crease, 1998 Philatelic Foundation certificate 0329123. Ex Scott Gallagher. $2,500.

Samuel Mills Meek (1835-1901) was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and graduated from the University of Alabama before relocating to Mississippi, where he built a distinguished legal practice. He was highly regarded across the state for his eloquence as a public speaker and statesman. Historical records of his wartime communications, legal affairs, and speeches are preserved within the Samuel M. Meek and Family Papers at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. He served as first lieutenant in Company C and as lieutenant colonel of the Fifth Regiment of Mississippi Infantry, Army of Ten Thousand; as first lieutenant and captain of Company H, Thirty-fifth Regiment of Mississippi Infantry, C.S.A.; and as captain of Company D and lieutenant colonel of the First Regiment of Mississippi Infantry, State Troops. He was married to Mary Louisa Cannon Meek (1838-1901); they had 10 children.