CSA 12, 10¢ blue tied CHARLOTTESVILLE VA JUL 12 (1864) double-circle postmark on tan and white floral wallpaper cover to Lieut. John B. Tapscott, Engineer Department, Goldsborough, North Carolina. Some cover edge wear and small tear at top, Fine-Very Fine, Ex Engstler.  $550.

John Baker Tapscott (1835-1905) in Jefferson County, Virginia. His father died when he was three years old and his mother when he was about eleven. He was an engineer for the Louisville and Nashville railroad company from 1855 to 1857. He served as division engineer for the Memphis, Clarksville and Louisville railroad company 1857 to 58. On February 6th, 1861, before the hostilities of the civil war had actually started John wrote to Joseph Brown, governor of Georgia, to inquire whether the state had established a topographical engineering corps. He said he was desiring more active service than his duties as city engineer of Clarksville and was fully competent to carry out any plans for fortifications and other military defenses. It appears nothing came of this inquiry. He applied for a Commission as First Lieutenant in the Engineer Department of the Confederate Provisional Army on January 14, 1862. His nomination was confirmed by Congress on March 13, and he was assigned to the Corps of Engineers. John was part of the Army of Northern Virginia that was surrendered April 9, 1865, by Robert and Lee to U.S. Grant. Source and far more information