RICHMOND / VA // JUN / 10 (no year date) DUE 10 neat markings on homemade cover addressed to Honl. William C. Rives, in Richmond, thus overpaid drop rate, Van Dyk MacBride penciled and signed explanation on the back than it was rare as sent from Member of Congress "M. Johnson". There were several Johnsons (none "M", but could be "M" stood for "Mr.") in the Confederate Congress, but I cannot verify that this is so other than the lack of soldier's docketing. But neither is there an "M.C." indication from the sender. The addressee is William Cabell Rives, who was a member of the Confederate Congress at that time. Previously, Rives had served in the United States Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as having served as Ambassador to France.

RICHMOND / Va // JUL / 16 / 1862 cds with straightline soldier’s DUE 10 on homemade cover to “Dr. G. N. Flowers, Cross Keys, DeKalb Co., Georgia” with soldier docketing of “A.P. Flowers in Wrights Legion”. Asbury P. Flowers enlisted on 2-6-62 as a musician into the band of the 38th Georgia Infantry. He died on 1-20-63 at Staunton, Virginia. Military bio included.

STAUNTON / VA. blurry cds with [due] 10 said by previous owner to be struck over “5”, but not sure I buy that – leave it to you to decide, addressed to “Pt H. W. V. Z F. Weaver (sheer guess, hard to make out) Charleston PO S.C.” Maj Whits Battalion of Arti Co H in ceare of Capt Holts Cav (?)” with soldier docketing of “J. W. Waters 2 S.C. Cav. Co. E”. , side flap missing, ex-Tobias. John W. Waters was a private in the 2nd SC Cavalry in Hampton’s Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia;the 2nd SC later came under the Dept. of SC, GA, and FL and later still the Dept of NC and then the Army of Tenn. Military records enclosed. Ex Tobias

PETERSBURG / Va. // MAR 7 blue cds with matching [due] 10 on adversity cover fashioned from a Danville Bank check form, addressed to “Miss Carolina Cleveland, Lawrenceville, Georgia” and soldier endorsed by “V Cleveland, Hampton Legion”. Vannoy Cleveland is shown as serving in Company F of SC Hampton Legion Infantry. Large bio included on the prominent families of Vannoy and Cleveland. Family tradition says the Vannoy family was related to the family of Oliver Cromwell. As for the Clevelands, President Grover Cleveland presented a bible to Caroline Yates, grandchild of Nathaniel Vannoy, as a memento of family relation. They were prominent families in the Greenville, SC area. Wonderful adversity cover with a great family history.

(Army of Northern Virginia) (due) "10" in field rate postmark, in red (Dietz type A) used during the siege of Petersburg in 1864 on cover to Columbia Mine, Ga., "W Shank, Train Artillery" soldier’s endorsement at top, Very Fine and scarce. William B. Shank was a private in Co. C of the Georgia Sumter Flying Light Artillery. $170

(Army of Northern Virginia) (due) "10" in double circle field rate postmark (Dietz type B) on homemade cover to Clinton, S.C.; with "H. Tucker, Hampton Legion, Co K." soldier’s endorsement at left, Very Fine. Henry Tucker was a private in Co K of SC Hampton Legion Infantry. $190.

FRANKLIN DEPOT / Va. // APR / 1 blue cds with matching curved DUE 10 handstamp on cover to Miss Rebecca C. Easterling, Manning South Carolina with endorsement of E. C. Easterling, Co. (A) Hamptons Legion, Ex Oswald. $250.

Easterling, Edward C. PVT 1861 65. Much more information on linked page.

RICHMOND / Va. // May / 4 [1864] cds with matching handstamped DUE 10 on cover to “Maj. Bolling Hall, Montgomery, Ala” with soldier’s endorsement of “J. E. Hall, Capt., Co B, 59th Ala Regt” and docketing “Copied May 3rd 1864”; John Elmore Hall enlisted as a Captain in stated regiment (shown wounded at Petersburg) in which Col. Bolling Hall, Jr. is also shown on the roster. Bolling Hall, Jr. of Autauga was wounded at Drewry’s Bluff and was in the Battle of Chicamauga as battalion commander. Much information may be found online on the Hall family which was illustrious back to the Revolutionary War. $160.

PETERSBURG / Va. // JUN / 17 blue cds with matching [due] 10 on adversity cover to Mrs. J. Adger Smyth, Wright’s Bluff, Clarendon Dist, So Ca from her soldier husband, on adversity cover fashioned from printed form. First time in philatelic hands. $220.

JAMES ADGER SMYTHE (1837-1920) was a Quarter Master Sergeant in Company A, 25th South Carolina Infantry Regiment Much more information on linked page.

PETERSBURG Va. // MAY / 26 blue cds with matching [due]10 on adversity cover fashioned from Charleston Rail Road freight receipt, addressed to E. H. Barkley, Esq., Williamston PO, Anderson Dist, SC with endorsement of W. V. Barkley, Co D 18th S.C.V. Most attractive use. $325.

WINCHESTER / Va. // OCT 1, cds on soldier's cover to Mrs. Laura C. Norwood, Lenoir N.C. with handstamped Due and twice-struck "10" in circle indicating 20¢ due, mandated endorsement of W.W. Lenoir, Capt Co A, 37 Regt. N.C.T. Very Fine. $500.

Walter Waightstill Lenoir (1823-1890) served as a 1st Lieut into Co. H, 58th NC Partisan Rangers Infantry and Co. A., 37th NC Infantry as a Captain. Much more information on linked page.

GORDONSVILLE / VA // AUG / 13 / 1862 cds with matching DUE 10 to W. R. Edwin (?), Ranaleburgh Mec[klenburgh] Co NC; used again with vertical pair of CSA 6, 5¢ blue (torn on opening) on verso tied with smaller GORDONSVILLE / VA double circle cancel known used 1861-63, small pmk also struck on the face showing two types of cancels on one side. $200.

UNIVERSITY OF Va. large blue 31 mm cds, scarce cancel lightly struck with matching large encircled handstamped [due] 10 in circle – a very scarce marking, not listed, pencil docketing which may or may not be contemporary “Mahones or Weisiger’s Brig” which is correct; on soldier’s cover to Mrs. R. C. Mabry Care W. H. Read Esqr., Palmers Springs, Mecklenburg County, Va.; endorsed “From Private R. C. Mabry / Co. K. 6th Va. Regt.” (Army of Northern Virginia) Ex Thacker. $400.

Robert Cole Mabry enlisted as a private, was wounded at 2nd Manassas 8-30-62, later taken prisoner 3-28-65 at Burgess’ Mill, Va and ultimately exchanged well after the war 10-27-65. Military records included. Conflicting records indicate he “was captured 27 Oct 1864 at the Battle of Burgess Mill and was held until 28 March 1865 when he was exchanged.” Typical of CW record groups.

RICHMOND / VA // FEB / 27 cds with matching DUE 10 and second [due] 10 on soldier’s cover endorsed mandated “Henry Higinbotham, Louisiana Guard Artillery, Richmond Defenses” on TURNED COVER to Thomas H. Higinbotham, Esqr. Care Quarter Masters Department, Mobile, Alabama. Inside use is franked with CSA 11, 10¢ blue tied MOBILE / ALA double circle postmark and addressed to Henry Higinbotham, Louisiana Guard Artillery, Richmond, Va. This correspondence is known to have passed through the LOUISIANA RELIEF COMMITTEE – a highly prized use selling for thousands of dollars (CCV $4,500) – and although this cover may have been delivered by that committee, there is no way to prove it without the requisite docketing. Lightly water stained and top flap reattached with hinges, completely exploded to nicely show both sides. $500.

T.H. Higinbotham is shown in military records as 1st Sgt Co. “C” 2nd Regt. Engineer Troops Much more information on linked page.

Henry Higinbotham was a Private with Captain Green’s Company Louisiana Guard Artillery. Much more information on linked page.

Also listed in CSA 11 section

RICHMOND / VA // APR / 5 / 1863 cds with straightline DUE 10 as well as second marking struck mostly off the top of pristine homemade cover; also red crayon “Due”, addressed to Mrs. David Crawford, Columbia, So Ca. and endorsed by “D. H. Crawford, Signal Corps, McLaw’s Division” across left end. Very Fine. $200.

Captain Daniel H. Crawford, A.Q.M. (Assistant Quarter Master) served in McLaw's Division in 1863, and later Longstreet's Division. Much more information on linked page.

TUDOR HALL / VA. // NOV ?2 / 1861 cds with matching DUE 10 (CSA Catalog type E) on stampless cover to Wm Bouknight, Newberry C.H., S. Carolina with soldier endorsement “From Sergt. J. R. Bouknight, Co. ‘E’ 7th Regmt S.C.V. (South Carolina Volunteers), flap tears. Ex Brandon. $150.

ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA [DUE] 10 in red circle (CSA Catalog type ANV-20, CV $200), a particularly nice strike of this often hastily struck marking, on cover to Mr. Alford Black, White Pine PO, Gaston County, NC, with soldier’s endorsement “Co. H, 31 Regt. NC.” More research would doubtless identify the soldier. Bit of edge wear. $150.

NORFOLK / VA // JUL blue double circle cancel used with matching PAID 5 (CC Type F, CV $300) on cover to W. D. Reddick, Esq., Newbys Bridge, NC, with age speckles, slightly reduced at top and most of top back flap missing, accompanied by original letter from J. T. Ally which is clearly the same correspondence but written March 8, 1862, mostly talking about putting up shad (fish) but mentions “the enemy have kept off so long that we think our city will not be taken.” $180.

Army of Northern Virginia [DUE] 10 in red (CSA Catalog ANV-20, CV $200), a particularly nice strike of this as it is usually quite weak, undoubtedly due to the heavy number of letters processed by the Army post office. This was the Petersburg canceling device that was taken with the troops. Addressed homemade cover to Mrs. Ann K. Connelly, Albany, Georgia, and endorsed by “Wm. O. Connelly, Lowry’s Inf. Brigade.” Plantation Collection.  $220.

Army of Northern Virginia field cancel (CSA Catalog Type AN-19), beautifully struck encircled “10” on clean homemade cover to Mr. Martie K. Wilcox, Douglass PO, Coffee County, Ga. with other writing on face of cover as well, endorsed by John Denton, Co. C, 50th Ga. Regt. who is listed as a private and surrendered at Appomattox. This cancel was used in 1864 when in Kershaw’s Division, 1st Corps, ANV. Plantation Collection. $150.

FARMVILLE / VA // NOV / 2 [1861] cds with matching PAID / 5 (ms) (CC Type B, CV $175) on cover to Miss Mollie E. Bell, Liberty Bedford Virginia Care of A. A. Bell, Liberty with original letter to Mollie from Lucie N. Rives, mainly endeavoring to comfort her in her bereavement, in a wonderfully feminine and flowery hand. At the close, Lucie implores Mollie to write to N. Womack who has just left for Manassas Junction and to write to him Care of Capt. Booker 18th Regiment Virginia Volunteers. Plantation Collection. $200.

NORFOLK / Va. // JUN / 24 / 1861 blue cds with matching PAID 10 (CSA Catalog Type F, CV $300) on cover to Mrs. Howell Cobb, Athens, Geo., with docketing [from] “John A & Lamar Cobb, memorandum of summer clothes to be sent to Sewell’s Point,” slightly reduced at right with bit of rounded corner at upper right. Superb markings. $200.

Thomas Howell Cobb was a Southern Democrat and prominent politician in both the US and CSA. Cobb as well as a Major General in the Army of Northern Virginia. Much more information on linked page and online.

FARMVILLE / Va. cds with matching DUE 10 (CSA Catalog Type C, CCV $175), on clean homemade cover endorsed by Sergt. Chapman, Co. H, 3rd S.C. Reg., to Mrs. Francis Kibler, Newberry C.H., SC, Ex Wayman. There are 138 Chapman’s listed from SC. Up to you to determine which one this is. Ex Wayman. $160.

FARMVILLE / Va. cds with matching bold DUE 10 (CSA Catalog Type C, CCV $175), on clean homemade cover endorsed by Sergt. Chapman, Co. (E), 3rd S.C. Reg., to Samuel Chapman, Newberry C.H., SC, Ex Wayman. There are 138 soldiers named Chapman listed from SC; it’s up to you to determine which one this is. Ex Wayman. $190.

RICHMOND / VA. // APR / 1863 cds with matching DUE 10 with soldier’s endorsement “J.R. Black, Co. K, 38th Regt., N.C. Troops to his brother, Duncan Black, Montrose, N.C.  $125.

John R. Black served in the “Carolina Boys” company, Army of Northern Virginia. More information on linked page and online.

FAIRFIELD / Va. // NOV / ? [1862] cds with matching PAID 10 (CC type A, CV $200) on stampless commercial-made cover to Franklin Davis, Esq., Staunton, Augusta Co[unty] Va. Listed but with no color image in catalog, thus not seen by 2012 editors. Davis was a well-known nurseryman. $150.

YORKTOWN / Va. // DEC / 11 cds with manuscript “Due 10” (CSA catalog listing with asterisk, thus not confirmed by editors; this cover confirms it, CV $150) on soldier’s cover endorsed “Private H. F. Jones, ‘Cobb’s Legion’” [Army of Northern Virginia] on cover to Mrs. Thomas Jones, Thomasville, Georgia. Missing top back flap otherwise Very Fine. $150.

Henry F. Jones enlisted August 1, 1861, as a private in Capt. Delony’s Cavalry Company, Georgia Legion which became Company C, Cavalry Battalion, Cobb’s Legion, Georgia Volunteers. He became Lieutenant and Adjutant.

“Bentivoglio Va June 15 Paid 5” manuscript cancel on fresh cover to “Capt. E. Davis, A. L. Horse (Albemarle Light Horse) Manassas Junction, O & A R[ail] Road” with docketing up left side “Dr. Eastham Co Inf (?) Bragg”, part of top flap missing, Ex Engstler and Thacker (military records included.) $250.

Capt. Eugene Davis led the Albemarle Light Horse Artillery. Bio on linked page.

Army of Northern Virginia field marking: [due] 10, (CC type ANV-19 used April – December 1864), on cover to Mrs. Henry Tucker, Clinton, S.C. Care of Thos. Duckett with mandated endorsement “Souldiers (sic) Letter Hamton (sic) Legion Co. K,” bit reduced at right, Very Fine. $120.

RICHMOND VA JAN 26 cds with neat matching DUE 10 (CC type P) on clean soldier’s cover neatly endorsed J.L. Wilson Cavalry Co G, Cobb Legion , addressed to Miss Mattie J. Wilson, Decatur, Ga, Very Fine. $150.

CSA 11c (AD), 10¢ greenish blue (4 huge margins all around) used with “Max Meadows Va. Aug 15 63” manuscript postmark on outer folded lettersheet to Maj. A. B. Dunn, Abingdon, Virga, which has been crossed out and FORWARDED to Goodson, Va. with red ABINGDON  Va. AUG  19 cds and DUE / 10 with ms. “Ford” at lower left. The ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF TYPE G ABINGDON DUE 10 IN RED. Ex William A. Fox. $375.

MONTEREY Va. Oct (1861) blurry CDS with handstamped PAID 5, (UNLISTED TYPE – the PAID is poorly struck so postmaster wrote “Paid” over it to clarify) on cover to Joseph B. Friend, Drakes Branch, Va. Monterey is in the Allegheny Mountains on the western upland side of the Shenandoah Valley in Charlotte County; Friend was a farmer, Ex ALT Tobias and John Vagnetti. $150.

OLD CHURCH VA. JUN 2, cds with manuscript PAID & handstamped "5" rate, CSA Catalog type A on outer folded lettersheet to Dr. Charles Cocke, Bremo Bluff, Va with notation at lower left “Mrs. C will please open this, if the Dr. is not at home”, Very Fine, ex Thayer and J. Vagnetti. CV $200. $160.

“Old Church, Va Aug 7th/61 Paid 5,” all in manuscript on clean cover to Mrs. Fanny B. C. Brown, Loving Creek, Bedford Co., Va. part of top back flap missing otherwise Very Fine, Ex ALT Tobias and John Vagnetti.  $150.

ORANGE C.H. Va AUG 10 cds on soldier letter without further postal markings (no due nor paid nor rate – not so listed in the CSA Catalog) endorsed from J. C. Zimmerman, Co. D, 57 Regt. N.C.T. on adversity cover made from a printed sewing machine instruction sheet to Mrs. M.A. Zimmerman, Bethania PO, Forsyth County, N.C. Ex John Vagnetti. $250.

James Calvin Zimmerman served in Co. D. 57th NC Infantry. Bio on linked page.

ORANGE C.H. Va. OCT 28 [1861] orange CDS with soldier’s (due) 5 on cover to Rev. W.M. Reid, Mayesville S.C. with mandated soldier endorsement of T.S. Reid, Company F 9th Regt. S.C.V. Lightly soiled, back flap tears. 

T.S. Reid shown in Co. A. SC 6th Infantry, 3rd Division, D.R. Jones’ Brigade, 1st Corps, Army of Potomac. Ex John Vagnetti. $150.

WINCHESTER Va. AUG 12 (1861) CDS with matching PAID 5 (CC type B with only a tracing in catalog) on fresh neat commercially-made cover to Miss Annie E. Clark, Locust Dale, Madison County, Va. Very Fine+, Ex John Vagnetti. $130.

WINCHESTER Va. SEP 27 CDS with handstamped "Due" and "10" in circle, (CC type G), on clean soldier's cover to Benjamin Browning, Westland PO Halifax Co N.C. with mandated soldier endorsement from Private J.? Browning Co. D 24th Regt of N.C. Vols,top back flap missing otherwise Very Fine, Ex John Vagnetti. $200.

J.F Browning bio on linked page.

WINCHESTER Va. NOV  27 [1861] cds with matching PAID 5 (CC type B) on stampless cover to Capt. George Keezel, Keezeltown, Rockingham Co, Va. – son of the town’s founder. Winchester is said to have changed hands between Yankees and Rebels more than any other, small tear at top, Ex John Vagnetti. $100.

RICHMOND Va. (JUN) 30 1861 on cover to Hon. J.L. Manning, Aid to Genl. Beauregard Manassas Station, Virginia. with docketing up left end H.M. Spofford June 1861. There are pencil diagrams on both sides of the cover that are considered by some to be artillery placement for the forthcoming battle. See back of cover here. Ex Ian Tickell from his Tudor Hall (Manassas) exhibit, also ex John Vagnetti. $200.

John Laurence Manning was the 35th governor of South Carolina. Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard was the first brigadier general in the Confederate States Army. Brief bios on linked page.

BERRYVILLE Va. SEP 1 (1861) circular datestamp with matching PAID and manuscript “5” (type A) on outer folded lettersheet to James B. Newman, Barboursville, Orange County, Virginia, with “Paid JWW” at top. Ex David Kohn and John Vagnetti with Brian Green penciled note on verso stating “two recorded” to which I cannot attest, but it is not common. $225.

James Barbour Newman bio on linked page.

MONTEREY Va. OCT 18 (1861) clearly struck CDS with neat matching encircled “5” and manuscript “unpaid Due” above it. CSA catalog type D listed with asterisk, meaning not seen by the editors but was continued as a legacy listing. I’m not sure why as this seems to be the photo image and thus may be the only one recorded. Addressed to Mrs. Margaret E. Dunlop, Jennings Gap, Augusta Ga. Va. Soldier endorsement of Robt. B. Dunlap, Co A, 52nd Reg Va. Vols. Ex Harrison. $200.

 “Locust Bottom Va July 2/61” with matching “paid 5cts” on cover to Mrs. Ann F. Acton, Atlanta, Georgia. Small edge faults. Scarce manuscript small-town postmark from Botetourt County. The post office opened Aug 11, 1860. Population unknown. Nice darkly-penned 4-page letter headed Botetourt June 27 1861 from Sarah A. Wood talking about the excitement of the young men going to war, news of friends and family by name. Ex Harrison. $130.

 “Macon Va June 17 Pd 5 cts” scarce manuscript small-town postmark from Powhatan County. The post office opened Dec 20, 1833, and discontinued July 18, 1866. Population 28, per VPHS Catalog. Addressed on clean cover to Mr. Bennett M. Bagby, Rices Depot, Prince Edward County, Va. Slightly reduced at left. Ex Harrison. $150.

Blue Ridge, Va. Oct 8 1861 Paid 5” all in manuscript on nifty folded letter on blue-lined paper to Miss L. Fannie Wright, Chamblissburg, Bedford County, Virginia. This is the listing copy for both the CSA Catalog and the VPHS catalog. Unknown number of this small-town postmark. Population unknown at that time but today is a census-designated place in southern Botetourt County with a population of 3,185 in the 2020 census. Part of the Roanoke metropolitan statistical area. Beautifully folded letter in strong ink, signed by Eliza A. Lemon October 5, 1861, talking of the young men mustering in the militia, hoping war will crease, etc. Ex Harrison. $150.

MONTEREY Va. OCT 18 (1861) clearly struck CDS with neat matching encircled “5” and manuscript “unpaid Due” above it. CSA catalog type D listed with asterisk, meaning not seen by the editors but was continued as a legacy listing. I’m not sure why as this seems to be the photo image and thus may be the only one recorded. Addressed to Mrs. Margaret E. Dunlop, Jennings Gap, Augusta Ga. Va. Soldier endorsement of Robt. B. Dunlap, Co A, 52nd Reg Va. Vols. Ex Harrison. $200.

Robert Bailey Dunlap military record on linked page.

FAIRFAX C.H. Va. SEP 28 (1861) neat CDS with PAID 5 (type C) on cover addressed in peacock blue ink to R.E. Wheeler, New Zion S.C., top back flap missing, signed in pencil by J.M. Bartels 1927, ex Richard Hall and G. Harrison. $150.

 “Fine Creek Mills (Va.) June 11th 1861 Paid 5 cts” manuscript postmark with initials R.H.B. at upper right, presumably of the sender, to B.M. Bagby Rice’s Depot S.S.R.R. Va. (South Side Railroad), scarce small-town manuscript postmark, Powhatan County, clean cover reduced slightly at left. Ex Harrison. $150.

“Fords Va. Decrd 12/61 Pd 5” scarce small-town manuscript postmark on small cover (top back flap missing) to Alexander Donnan, Petersburg, Va., with short business letter from E.E. Rosser saying, “Dr. Harris died this morning and he has a good many of my papers which I wish you to take in hand.” Donnan was an attorney, member of the Petersburg City Council and in the Virginia House of Delegates. Ex Harrison. $150.

“Castle Craig Va March 25 (1862) 5 Paid” all in manuscript on small folded letter to Lewis E. Williams Campbell C.H. Va.with manuscript directive “P.M. Please hand over this.” From Henry Hazelwood asking Williams to help him collect an overdue debt from an estate. Scarce small-town manuscript postmark. Ex Harrison. $200.

“Irisburg Va Oct 15 (1864) Paid 10” scarce small-town manuscript postmark on small turned cover (inside is cut-down pre-war use) to C.Y. Thomas, Martinsville, Va., docketed “R. Ralls, 15th Octr 1864” Ex Kohn and Harrison. $150.

“Naffs Va Sept 20th 1861 Paid 5” all in manuscript from scarce small town on fresh commercially-made envelope to Rev. Isaac A. Naff, Dublin, Va. Extremely Fine, Ex Harrison. $165.

Reverend Isaac Newton Naff bio on linked page.

 Unidentified town, most likely Virginia with oblong boxed PAID and ms. “5” with “PO BHW” at upper right, addressed to Genl J.L. Kemper, Manassas Junction, Va. A little research would doubtless identify the town and sender. Opening tear at top, not affecting markings. Ex Harrison. $120.

Gen. James Lawson Kemper (1823-1895) was a lawyer and confederate general - brief bio on linked page.