[WILMINGTON / NC // DUE] 10 neatly struck on homemade cover to Miss Sallie E. Hampton, Laurel Branch, Rowan County, N.C. Enclosed “Private D. A. Hampton, Co. G, 42nd Regt N.C. Troops.” Light water stains and slight reduction at right. Per Stefan Jaronski, this Wilmington numeral-only marking without the postmark was used from 1864 forward on soldiers’ due mail processed to / from soldiers in the area by the Wilmington post office. $200.

David A. Hampton of Rowan County enlisted at age 19 on 17 March 1862 as a private in Co. G, NC 42nd Infantry, Kirkland’s Brigade, Hoke’s Division, 1st Corps, Army of Tennessee in April of 1865, Army of Northern Virginia 4th Corps October-December 1865. He was wounded and taken prisoner 10 March 1865 at Wise’s Forks, NC, and hospitalized at New Berne, NC, paroled 23 May 1865 at Salisbury, NC.

From a history of the NC 42nd Infantry: During August and early September 1863, they were located at Kinston, where the Brigade was reported to be "full and well instructed." On August 31, two companies had been mounted, probably for faster and more efficient reconnaissance duties. By September 30, two companies had been moved into the defense of Wilmington, while the remainder of the regiment had again been sent to Petersburg, engaging in several small skirmishes until on October 6 the 42nd, as a part of Martin's Brigade, became a unit in the Military District of Cape Fear, Defenses of Wilmington, in anticipation of a Federal attack on that important port. Here the regiment remained for the rest of 1863 and the first month of 1864. Early in February 1864, the regiment participated in its major operation. Federal forces held New Bern, N.C., in force, and the Confederate authorities decided to capture it, utilizing for this purpose a force of several thousand men under Major General Pickett. The latter's plan contemplated a simultaneous attack on the town by three converging columns, one of which was part of Martin's Brigade, consisting of the 17th and 42nd North Carolina regiments. In accordance with this plan, Martin moved out of Wilmington and on January 29 had reached a point 34 miles from that city. On the 30th he marched to Jacksonville and on February 1 was at Smith's Mill on White Oak Creek, 40 miles from Sheppardsville.