Items for Sale - Postmasters' Provisionals on Cover, Section Three - Item#15952
15952 Click on image to enlarge.
Item# 15952

Mobile, Ala 5¢ blue postmaster provisional #58X2, superb 4-margin copy tied neat Mobile Sept 22, 1861, double circle datestamp on darling small fancy laid paper envelope to Miss Cecilia Labadie, Galveston, Texas, with fabulous 6-page (4 pages plus 2 cross-written) original letter (extensive file splits that have been repaired with acid-free archival document tape) from a soldier, S. Badie, saying, in part, “We were somewhat alarmed that three nites ago after the federals bombarded Galveston…took possession of Ship Island. Our Confederates had Ship Island but the fire of the enemy was stronger than ours so we abandoned the Island & took our ammunitions & all our property...[a] great battle took place in Kentucky between 1800 Federals & 800 Confederates. Federals completely routed & Confederates Captured 400 stand of arms…on 19th in town of Barbourville in Eastern Kentucky…Captain Alden sent bomb shells in the City…here made by us Mobile at Foundry so we can defy those who enter our City. Old Abe has promised England & France to give them our Cotton but I am afraid he will look out & he will be…a hooter if he comes near this…” and on and on – excellent content. Lovely cover & letter, Ex Markovits. SCV $2,000. $2,750.

Mary Cecelia Labadie was one of the 3 daughters of Physician, businessman, and San Jacinto veteran, Nicholas Descomps Labadie. Born in Windsor, Ontario, at age 21, he began to study for the priesthood in Missouri. After rejecting his vocation, Labadie studied medicine under Dr. Samuel Merry and eventually moved to Louisiana. In 1831, Labadie visited San Felipe and decided to settle in Anahuac where Col. John Davis Bradburn employed him as post surgeon. In 1832, he participated in the rebellion at Anahuac against Bradburn. Between 1833 and 1838 Labadie and his family lived on a plantation on Lake Charlotte north of Wallisville in Chambers County. Labadie marched with the Liberty Militia to join Sam Houston's army on March 11, 1836. On April 21 Labadie fought under Sidney Sherman and tended the wounded at the Battle of San Jacinto. Returning home in May 1836, Labadie found his family and his property devastated with one child dead and his home and cattle destroyed. In 1838, Thomas J. Rusk, Secretary of War, ordered Labadie to Galveston where he built the first frame house, constructed Labadie's Wharf, established a shipping company, ran a drug store, and practiced medicine. His family papers are in the San Jacinto Museum of History from which this history was obtained.

Price: $2000