COBHAM / Va. (ms. June 10) on folded letter to J.H. Reid, Esq., Near O.&A.R.R. Co. (Orange & Alexandria Railroad), Charlottesville, Va. Letter is from W.C. Rives at Castle Hill 8 June 1861 in which he asks the favor of “to forward the enclosed letters to Alexandria through any channel that may be known to you as affording the best chance of it reaching its destination.” Alexandria, Virginia, was occupied very early in the war (May 24, 1861) thus RIVES IS ASKING REID TO HAVE THEM SMUGGLED ACROSS THE LINES. The postal markings are “PAID (ms 5)”and manuscript “Due 5,” also a red crayon (due) 5. I believe the Due 5s were applied at Charlottesville as the 5s are in different handwriting. The letter is undoubtedly overweight because it mentions including other letters for posting along with this cover letter. NOT LISTED IN THE CSA CATALOG. Both cover and content of particular interest. $400.

William Cabell Rives (1793-1868) was a distinguished minister to France and a member of the Confederate Congress. An enormous amount may easily be found out about him online. His made his home at Castle Hill.