Items for Sale - Confederate Patriotic Covers, Section 2

Item# 20651

New 3-1-23

Price: $900

DUBLIN VA NOV 14 (1861) neatly struck blue 26mm circular datestamp with no rate (CC type A, CV $300 on plain cover) on captured Union Patriotic with portrait of Col. J.T. Toland. To Wm. Bourn Sr. Independence Grayson Co(unty) Va. with endorsement of Sergt W.C. Bourn Co K 57th Va. Regt. From the dates of promotions, this had to have been the date. Ex Ralph Swap. $900.

William C. Bourn enlisted as a first sergeant 6-24-61 and was mustered into Co. K, 51st Virginia Infantry. He was promoted to 1st Lieut. and Captain; wounded at Kearneysville, Va., and Leetown, Va.

John Toland (1826-1863), in connection with A. S. Piatt, assisted in organizing and equipping the Thirty-Fourth Ohio regiment, sometimes called "Piatt Zouaves." He was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel August 2, 1861, and Colonel, May 14, 1862. His regiment went into Western Virginia, where it performed a series of raids and marches. In September, 1862, at Fayetteville, Virginia, while on the skirmish line, Colonel Toland had three horses shot under him, but was himself uninjured. From this time, it is said he had a feeling that he bore a charmed life which Rebel bullets could not reach. After the retreat from the Kanawha Valley, Colonel Toland was assigned to the command of a brigade in General Q. A. Gillmore's division, and took an active part in the movements which resulted in driving the Rebels from the Valley, leading the advance. In July, 1863, he was placed in command of a mounted brigade, including his own regiment, and was directed to attempt the destruction of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. By forced marches he reached the railroad at Wytheville, Virginia, on the afternoon of the 18th of July. With his usual bravery he pushed into the town with his regiment, determined to drive the enemy out. Taking advantage of shelter in houses, the Rebels were enabled to pour a murderous fire into the National troops. Colonel Toland was at the head of his command on horseback, as he always was on such occasions, and presented a fair mark to the concealed sharp-shooters. Colonel Toland was shot from a window of a house in his immediate vicinity, while seated on his horse, engaged in giving orders, surrounded by a few of his staff. The ball passed through his left breast. The Colonel did not fall from his horse, but caught the mane with his right hand, when his Orderly, who was about fifty yards distant from him, ran and caught him before he had time to reach the ground. With his last breath he requested that his horse and sword be sent to his mother. Source: findagrave.com

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