Items for Sale - Prisoner of War & Civilian Flag of Truce - Section One - Item#20056
Click on image to enlarge.
Item# 20056

POINT LOOKOUT, MARYLAND (CAMP HOFFMAN): US 65, 3¢ rose, cork canceled on cover front (no back) to Mr. Timothy Rives, Prisoner of War, Point Lookout, Md Care of Provost Marshal, docketed with “taken the Oath” and red contents docketing “Sept 5, 1864, from his daughter Laura, Va.” Old Point Comfort Va Sept 14 dcds. An article on this item is in the 3Q 2022 La Posta. $75. 

Hon. Timothy Rives (June 17, 1807-October 29, 1865) of Virginia was one of the most famous orators and ablest lawyers of his day. He was a respected criminal attorney and political speaker. A staunch Unionist, he was elected to the Secessionist Convention to represent Prince George and Surry Counties. Despite his age (57) and political leanings, Rives joined the Confederate Army as a captain November 16, 1861, and was given a command in the Third Virginia Infantry, Army of Northern Virginia. Unfortunately, Rives did not remain long at his post. In his letter of resignation dated May 19, 1862, he cited a serious hearing defect and he was relieved of command June 1, 1862. Returning to civilian life, the war personally came to him June 9, 1864, when he was captured as a prisoner of war at the beginning of the Siege of Petersburg. Unarmed, he was driving his buggy to a neighbor’s house as an aged and obviously infirm non-combatant. He was confined to Point Lookout, Maryland, September 12, 1864, with no mention in military records where he was incarcerated in the intervening period. Rives died of natural causes the month after the subject-letter posting. 

Price: $75