J. M. Barksdale's Arkansas Express (CSA catalog type TMW-12, CV $3,500) with blue manuscript "Paid $1.00" express rate, matching endorsement "Soldier's Letter, A. E. Spence, Co. `B' 1st Ark. Regt." on cover to Solomon Spence, Clark County, Arkadelphia Ark., WASHINGTON / Ark. // DEC / 2 circular datestamp and "10" due handstamp, minor soiling and slightly reduced at left where opened roughly. ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED COVERS CARRIED BY ONE OF THE ARKANSAS EXPRESSES ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. $2,750.

Capt. Alexander E. Spence served in Company B (Clark County Volunteers), 1st Arkansas Infantry. Spence was promoted to captain on January 20, 1863. The expressman, J. M. Barksdale, enlisted on Aug. 4, 1861, at Crane Creek, Missouri, and served in Company H, 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles. He was wounded March. 7, 1862, at Elk Horn, Arkansas, and discharged for disability December 17, 1862. Barksdale Express began operating no later than the summer of 1863 and was still carrying mail in late 1864. Barksdale was detailed to carry mail from Arkansas soldiers in Reynolds' Arkansas Brigade to Washington, Arkansas, where they were posted in the Confederate mail. The express charge for a westbound letter to Arkansas was $1.00. Eastbound mail from Arkansas to soldiers was apparently carried free.

Listed in both Miscellaneous-Section 1 and Arkansas Stampless