CAMP HOFFMAN, POINT LOOKOUT, MARYLAND and FORT DELAWARE - prisoner to prisoner: US 65, 3¢ rose tied by POINT LOOKOUT MD duplex JUN 14 64. Addressed to Mitchel (sic) Poling Prisoner of War Ft. Delaware Del In Care of Capt. Ahl (in charge of prisoners), also noted 8th Division. On back flap in pencil “From T. Lear Point Lookout MD.”  One of the fewer than 50 prisoner to prisoner covers. Ex Harrison. $350.

Mitchell F. Poling (1842-1913) enlisted on June 22, 1861, at Romney, WV, as a private in Co. K, Virginia 13th Infantry (a guerilla unit). He also had service in Co. D, Virginia 11th Cavalry. His lengthy military record is included. He was absent sick multiple times the first couple of years. He was wounded December 13, 1862, at Fredericksburg where he was taken prisoner and confined to Old Capitol Prison in Washington DC, followed by Fort Delaware. In July of 1863, he was again sick in Winchester and left behind. He was taken prisoner February 8, 1864, at Hampshire County, WV, confined to Atheneum Military Prison, Wheeling WV as a guerilla and highway robber. He was then transferred to Camp Chase, Ohio, and Fort Delaware as a horse thief. He was exchanged October 5, 1864, at Varina, Va. Thomas Lear served in both 41st Virginia Cavalry and 18th Virginia Cavalry.