CAMP HOFFMAN (POINT LOOKOUT, MD): US 65, 3¢ rose tied Point Lookout March ? [1865] target cancel on POW cover to Mrs. Emeline West, Lumberton, Robeson County, N.C., with bold beautifully struck RICHMOND / Va. // MAR / 17 [1865] cds and soldier’s DUE 10 postal rating with light Type B censor marking (CSA catalog #PWH-17 used July 1864-March 1865, CCV $800). Back flaps with contemporary pencil docketing “One Day after Dated I Promised to Pay the back an forth Sum of 10 cents” - doubtless declaring that he promises to pay the postage due for the letter being sent. In pen, “this Day is nearly gone and nothing have I dun, this to my litle Emeline / E.W. Aprel 24 1865.” (original “inventive” spelling preserved) $800.

Elias West was 24 years old when he enlisted September 6, 1861, at Robeson County, NC, as a private in Company A, NC 31st Infantry, Clingman’s Brigade, Hoke’s Division, 4th Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. He was taken prisoner at Fort Harrison, Va., on September 30, 1864, during the Siege of Petersburg, and confined at Point Lookout, Maryland. He was exchanged March 19, 1865, which means this is one of the last letters he sent while confined. The Point Lookout postmark has a single date but is not readable. The April dated note on verso most likely written by him after he got home.