FORT DELAWARE, DELAWARE CITY: POW cover addressed to Lieut. W.A. Smith, Prisoner of War, Fort Delaware, Del, Division 28; with manuscript directive “For Flag of Truce Via City Point and Fortress Monroe” with pencil docketing “Jn Banets (?) Oct. 26th.” US and CSA mixed franking with CSA 12-AD, 10¢ blue and US 65, 3¢ rose (both stamps with tiny faults) tied together by segmented cork cancel, and Confederate stamp with OCT 20 (1864) Old Point Comfort double-circle cancel. The oval censor handstamp was used at Fort Delaware only for about seven months. By November 4, 1864, the use of an examined marking at Fort Delaware had been discontinued, although letters were still censored. “Hillsville, Va., October 7th 1864” mailing origina at lower left, from Lt. Smith’s wife, Electa. 2001 CSA certificate 04076. $1,500.

William Alexander Smith (1835-1868), “Alex” was a teacher from Carroll County, Virginia, when he enlisted as a private June 25, 1861. He served in Company J, 50th Virginia Regiment, Jones’ Brigade, Johnson’s Division, Ewells Corps. He was described at enlistment as having dark hair, dark complexion, blue eyes and 5’8” in height. This is a known correspondence between Alex Smith and his wife, Electa (Ann Electa Utley Smith) in Hillsville, Va. (in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia) They were married in October 1863 when he was home on leave. Electa was the sister of his brother, Barton “Doc” Pierce Smith’s wife, Mary. Alex and Electa had two children. The correspondence was written up in the Confederate Philatelist (Jan-Feb 1997) by Dr. John L. Kimbrough, although much has been added here since that article. The 50th Virginia was officially organized on 3 July 1861. Pvt Smith must have shown promise as he was very shortly promoted Sergeant. Nothing further is noted concerning Sgt Smith except that he was detailed to "wait on the sick at Lewisburg" during the Fall of 1861. The 50th Virginia Infantry saw distinguished service throughout the war, first with the Confederate Army of Kentucky, and later with the Army of Northern Virginia. The regiment suffered heavy casualties at Gettysburg and at The Wilderness and was disbanded in April 1865, shortly before the surrender. On 25 May 1862, Sgt Smith was promoted 2nd Lt of Company J. From the records, it can be assumed that Lt. Smith stayed with his regiment throughout the remainder of 1862, 1863, and early 1864. He was captured by the Union forces on 12 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House in Virginia. On 14 May 1864, Lt Smith arrived at the Federal Prison at Point Lookout, Maryland. He was transferred to Fort Delaware on June 23, 1864. He survived his prison ordeal and was released on June 16, 1865. He returned to Carroll County after the war and resumed teaching. He died from injuries relating to an accident in December 1868.” (Smith Family Letters housed at Virginia Tech)