SALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA, CONFEDERATE MILITARY PRISON: PETERSBURG Va. JUL 13 (1862) blue CDS with matching PAID 10 and light penciled “Ex” under postmark (Examined) on folded letter headed New York July 8, 1862, to Capt. Amos H. White, Confederate Military Prison, Salisbury, North Carolina. This is one of the scarce early Norfolk-Old Point Comfort routed letters. From September 1861 until May 1862, most southbound mail was directed to Fortress Monroe where it was exchanged under flag of truce with Confederate officials at Norfolk. Later in the war, the Richmond route became the norm. Read the wonderful letter saying how glad the writer was to hear he was alive, as White was feared dead but someone had seen him alive after he was shot. There are 65 Salisbury POW covers recorded by Harrison. $1,200.

Amos H. White was 26 years old when he enlisted August 25, 1861, at New York City as a 1st Lieutenant commissioned into Company D, New York 5th Cavalry, which company he helped raise. Military records show him taken prisoner but the date and place are not stated. From Officers of the Volunteer Army and Navy who served in the Civil War, published by L.R. Hamersly & Co. in 1893, we find that at the battle of Front Royal, May 23, 1862, he was knocked insensible from his horse, taken prisoner, and sent to Salisbury, North Carolina. He was exchanged September 21, 1862, at Aiken’s Landing (exchanged for Mottrom Dulany Ball, 5thVirginia Cavalry). He was in the Gettysburg campaign, and was shot in the right foot at Hanover, Pennsylvania, June 30, 1863. After recovering from this wound, he rejoined his command. He was again wounded, shot through the body, and taken prisoner June 1, 1864, at Ashland, Va., From there, he was taken to Libby Prison in Richmond. He was exchanged on September 12, 1864. He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel September 15, 1864, and colonel November 14, 1864. He rejoined his regiment at Winchester when it was detached from the brigade and became escort for General Sheridan. Col. White brought the regiment home at the close of the war, and was honorably mustered out with it at Hart's Island, New York Harbor, July 19, 1865. At the close of the war, Col. White returned to New York City and engaged in mercantile pursuits.