BROWNSBURGH / Va // NOV  / 28 [1861] cds with month inverted and ms day, manuscript “Paid 5” on cover to Mrs. Susan Clayton, Deerfield, Va., Very Fine $200.

BROWNSBURG / Va. // JUL / 12 cds with manuscript “Paid 10” rate to “Mrs. Ann E. Finley, Clark[s]ville, Mecklenburg Co., Virginia” on fresh cover possibly from her son George Williamson Finley , slightly reduced at left. Finley enlisted a captain as part of the Army of Northern Virginia. He was taken POW at Gettysburg and confined variously at Fort Delaware, Johnson’s Island, Point Lookout, Hammond Hospital and Hilton Head where he was part of the ”Immortal 600” intentionally put under fire of their Confederate artillery in Charleston Harbor as retaliation for poor treatment of Union POW’s. Finley decided to become a minister while a POW and entered Union Theological Seminary in 1866. Interesting detailed soldier, personal and regimental histories accompany.  Ex Hedin.  $300.

FOREST DEPOT / Va. // OCT / 1 [1861] rimless cds with matching handstamped PAID / 5 CENTS 2-line straightline on amber cover addressed to Dr. Richard N. Hewitt, 42nd Regiment Va. Vols., Care of Col. J.S. Burks, Huntersville, Pocahontas Co [West] Va; small flap faults and minor staining. Detailed bio included from the unpublished biographical register of  physicians who served the Confederacy in a medical capacity, courtesy of Drs. F. T. Hambrecht and J.L. Koste. Triple threat - scarce handstamped paid into West Virginia with excellent medical military address. Ex Kohn and Hambrecht.  $600.

Dr. Richard Newton Hewitt served as a 1st Sergt. In Co D, 42nd Virginia Infantry and possibly as a Surgeon, C.S. Army in the Division of Gen. W.W. Loring, Army of West Virginia. More information on linked page.

Dr. Jesse Spinner Burks was a VMI graduate and member of the Virginia legislature who enlisted as a colonel in 42nd Va. Infantry. More information on linked page.

PETERSBURG  Va. / 5 cts // AUG / 19 (integral rate stamp, date inverted) [1861] blue cds plus matching PAID 5 on clean cover to Mr. John E. Meade [Jr.] Care of Capt Dodson, Petersburg Rifle Company near Norfolk. $450. 

Private John E. Meade served in Co E 4th Battalion VA Infantry. More information on linked page.

PETERSBURG  Va. / 5 cts // AUG / 19 (integral rate stamp) blue cds plus matching PAID 5 on clean cover to Mr. John E. Meade [Jr.] Care of Capt Dodson, Petersburg Riflemen, Norfolk, Va. $325.

Private John E. Meade served in Co E 4th Battalion VA Infantry. More information on linked page.

“Gladesboro Va / Feb 24 [1862]” all in manuscript with matching “5cts. Paid.” on homemade cover to Miss Sue V. Yonce, Wytheville, Va., bit reduced at left otherwise Very Fine. The William B. Yonce Papers, 1827-1893 are in the Duke University library. $160.

“Gladesboro Va / Nov 10th 1862” all in manuscript with matching “10 cts paid” on on adversity cover fashioned from postal form, to Mrs. Allie Yonce, Wytheville, Va., bit reduced at left otherwise Very Fine. The William B. Yonce Papers, 1827-1893 are in the Duke University library. $160.

“Gladesboro Va / August 28th 1863” all in manuscript with matching “paid 10” on turned cover fashioned with inside a cut down larger addressed envelope, addressed to Miss Fannie A. Yonce, Wytheville, Va. The William B. Yonce Papers, 1827-1893 are in the Duke University library. $140.

“Gladesboro Va / April 30th 1863” all in manuscript with matching “paid 10 cts” on adversity cover fashioned from postal form, addressed to Miss Fannie A. Yonce, Wytheville, Va. The William B. Yonce Papers, 1827-1893 are in the Duke University library. $200.

“Gladesboro Va / April 16th 1864” all in manuscript with matching “paid 10 cts” on turned cover fashioned with inside a cut down larger addressed envelope, addressed to Miss Fannie A. Yonce, Wytheville, Va.; bit rumpled. The William B. Yonce Papers, 1827-1893 are in the Duke University library. $120.

“Gladesboro Va / Oct 14th 1862” all in manuscript with matching “Paid 10 cts” on adversity cover fashioned from postal form, addressed to Miss Fannie A. Yonce, Wytheville, Va. The William B. Yonce Papers, 1827-1893 are in the Duke University library. $200.

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA / VA // JUN / 20 / 1861 blue double circle with handstamped PAID (no rate) on clean cover to A. Holland Esq, Halesford, Va.; the listing copy for no rate, very small part of top back flap missing, Ex Thacker.  $350.

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA / VA // 25 / 1861 blue double circle with handstamped PAID /5 on cover to Dr. Wm. B. Cochrane, Middleburg, Loudon Co Va.; no month in datestamp Ex Thacker.  $250.

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA / VA lightly struck blue double circle with handstamped PAID /5 and manuscript  Paid 5cts on cover to Mr. Henry P. R. McCoy, Raleigh, North Carolina; Southern Historical Society papers show McCoy was from Union Theological Seminary at Hampden Sidney who served as a chaplain in the Confederate army. Original letter enclosed to “My Dear Pen” from his sister Bessie – a four page missive headed Kerry Saturday morning June 8th [1861] on thin blue paper which ends “We heard that 3000 troops are to pass here today on their way to Western Va. I hope it is so.” She speaks of Dan going to Western Virginia to help resist the flood from Pennsylvania and Ohio and “the more hateful Union men of Virginia.” “Ken saw an officer on the cars yesterday hurrying to Richmond to beg the Governor to send troops, especially Artillery, to Western Va – our men fought bravely at Philippi the other day; 600 routed 2000 federal troops”. (June 3, 1861)Also speaks of the ladies making clothes for soldiers, the difficulty of communications, etc.  Great letter.  Ex Thayer and Thacker.  $325.

COVESVILLE /  Va. // AUG (ms 30 [1861] red 33 mm cds with manuscript “Paid 5 cents” on long 3-page folded letter to Mr. Henry St. Geo[rge] Harris, Diana Mills, Buckingham (County, Virginia). Letter is headed “Covesville, Aug 28th 61” to “My Dear Brother” (not signed by apparently from his sister) saying, in part, “…they were four miles from Arlington Heights so I suppose they are going on to Washington. A good many soldiers came into town the other day from Texas. The ladies seem to be very patriotic in this part of the country, visiting and contributing to the sick soldiers. Mrs. Hamner is…very frequently to Manassas and Culpeper Court House. Mrs. George Martin has taken three wounded soldiers to her house…I have just found out Beauregard’s first name, Gustave. I am thinking of giving the whole name to my baby. …Covesville has become quite Yankee-town.”  Fully transcribed, Unlisted and scarce Albemarle County town. Diana Mills is a historical location no longer in existence. It was south of Charlottesville and west of Richmond. Ex Thacker. $350.

HOWARDSVILLE / VA. // DEC / 14 (date in ms) [1861] dark blue cds with matching handstamped PAID 5 on clean cover to Mr. Frank Cabell, Willow Bank, Nelson Co., Va; only small portion of top and bottom flaps left and no side flaps; Quite Scarce markings not seen in years; Ex Thayer and Thacker $250.

HOWARDSVILLE / VA. // DEC / 8 blue cds with matching handstamped PAID 10 on clean cover to Rev. Paul Whitehead, Green Wood Depot, Albemarle, Va; with J M C at upper left, Quite Scarce markings not seen in years, Ex Thacker. $300.

HOWARDSVILLE / VA. // DEC / 5 (rate in ms) blue cds with no evidence of rate or other markings on clean homemade cover to A. R. Blakely Esq, Madison Ct Ho, Va. with original business letter on Bank of Howardsville stationery to “Dear Cousin” signed D. J. Hartsook, Cashier; top back flap missing and slight reduction at top, Ex Thacker $250.

“Scottsville [Va] Sep 21 [1861] Pd 5” all in manuscript on pristine cover to Messrs Agee Ford & Co., Gravel Hills, Buckingham Va with original enclosure headed Scottsville Sept 19th 1861from M. M. D. Bryan for castings ordered; Quite Scarce, Ex Thacker $200.

“Scottsville [Va] Oct 17 [1861] Pd 5” all in manuscript on clean cover to Messrs Agee Ford & Co., Gravel Hill, Buckingham Va with original enclosure headed Scottsville Oct 17th 1861 from M. M. D. Bryan for castings ordered for the foundry; Quite Scarce, Ex Thayer and Thacker. $200.

SCOTTSVILLE / VA // Jun (ms) / 12 neat cds with matching handstamped PAID / 10 on neat cover to Mr. A. S. Bacon, Lexington, Va.; slightly reduced at right; listing copy for the CSA Catalog, quite scarce. $250.

“Travelers Repose (West) Va. / Feb. 22” manuscript postmark with matching "Paid 5" at right on cover to Mrs. Mary F. Hilbert, Dayton, Rockingham Cty, Va.; tiny corner repair at top right and slightly reduced at left, Scarce West Virginia use. $300.

TUDOR HALL / VA. // OCT / XX cds with matching PAID 5 on cover addressed to Mrs. Mary B. Gordon, Care of James B. Gordon, Esq., Cobham, Albemarle, Va, Very Fine. Tudor Hall was the post office marking for Manassas. $125.

Dr. John Churchill Gordon (was appointed Asst. Surgeon to the 38th Va. Infantry. More information on linked page.

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA / VA 1861 blue double circle with handstamped PAID / 5 on cover with manuscript J.S.D. at upper right – probably to charge his box – docketing “Lucy M. Davis” up left side; addressed to “Capt. Eugene Davis of the Albemarle Light Horse [Artillery], Fairfax Court House, Virginia”. Slight water stain at bottom. Ex Engstler and Thacker  $300.

Capt. Eugene Davis led the Albemarle Light Horse Artillery, also known as the 30th Virginia Cavalry. More information on linked page.

CLARKSVILLE / Va. // JUL /8 [1861] light green cds with matching handstamped PAID 5 and manuscript  initials “B.D.M. 5” at upper right on tiny envelope to Alex. Donnan Esq., Petersburg, Va. with original enclosure headed “Clarksville July 7th 1861” from Lelia T. Taylor ask him to send money. Docketing “Sent $100 July 12th 1861 A. D.”; most of back flap missing and bit of resulting edge damage at top. Rare green color and combination of markings. Fewer than 20 Confederate post offices used a green cancel, Ex Thacker. In recent publications, it has been speculated that some Clarksville covers were handstamped provisionals. 2012 CSA certificate #05759 opining stampless use, with which I agree. $400.

CULPEPER C.H. / Va. // AUG / 9 / 1861 cds with matching handstamped PAID 5 on cover to Mr. W. R. Berry (sic) Esq. York District, Yorkville, So. Ca. before Barry joined the war effort. CSA Catalog type B, CV $200.  $180.

William Randolph Barry was a Confederate soldier from the York District, S.C., who served in the 1st SC Infantry Battalion, AKA the Charleston Battalion and Gaillard's. More information on linked page.

“Diamond Grove Va January 14 [1862] Paid 5” all in manuscript on cover to Theolphilus A. Feild Esq., Petersburg, Virginia. UNLISTED thus in CSA Catalog and only listing of any kind in the catalog is in an institutional holding. This thus becomes the listing copy for the next edition. Slight rumpling and paper clip stain. The Feild (yes, that’s the way  it was spelled, later converted to Field) family was one of the major builders of the city of Petersburg as well as original trustees. $250.

COLLIERSTOWN / Va. beautifully struck bold blue cds with manuscript “Paid 10” on turned cover addressed to “Mr. Jas. D. Davidson, Lexington, Va.” J. D. Davidson was a trustee of Washington & Lee University. Open 3 sides with inside hand-carried use to “Lieut. Wm. W. Davidson, Dublin Depot, Pulaski Co., Va. (care of) Major Dorman”; open 3 sides with flap faults. $200.

"Huntersville [West] Va., Aug 19", manuscript postmark with matching "due 5" rating on cover addressed to Mrs. Susan Ewart, Yellow Branch, Campbell Co., Va.; endorsed "Samuel Ewart, 42 Regmt Va. Vol." at top left; tiny edge tear at top and partial top back flap, Fine.  $450. 

Samuel Ewart enlisted on May 31, 1861 in Company D of the 42nd Virginia Infantry. More information on linked page.

FARMVILLE / VA // OCT / 29 / 1861 neat cds with matching PAID 5, CC type B, on outer folded lettersheet (no contents) to Capt. Wm. A. Perkins of Cumberland Troop, Cavalry Camp below Yorktown, Va with docket at top “Paid J. S. Armistead.” Cover looks far bluer than scanned image.$250.

Captain William A. Perkins was in charge of Co. G, 3rd Virginia Cavalry and served until March 1862 when he resigned due to family hardship: “Wife and eight children left with no support on sudden death of my father.”

BROWNSBURGH / Va // FEB / 25 (ms) cds with matching boxed PAID / 5 (ms), CSA Catalog type A, on small narrow cover to Mrs. P. Carolina Patterson, Patterson, NC, Ex Kohn. $160.

TUDOR HALL / VA // SEP / 5 (date slug sideways) [1861] cds with matching curved PAID 5, CSA Catalog type B, on small commercially made cover to Miss E. C. Killian, Killians Mills, No. Carolina; interesting notes on back flaps, apparently made by recipient upon reading contents, to wit, “Trepidation and alarm ignited excruciating.Lacerated volunteer S.C. 5th Regt, Picayune Bur, Attic.” Tudor Hall was the post office for the First Battle of Manassas. $170.

RICHMOND / Va. // JUL / 17 /1861 cds with the very scarce PAID 2 straightline marking (CSA Catalog Type B) that in his Confederate States of America Markings and Postal History of Richmond, Virginia, Peter Powell designates as Type I and states ONLY 26 COVERS ARE RECORDED. This is a wonderful TINY CONFEDERATE DROP RATE COVER which is a little over an inch high and less than three inches long. It is addressed to "Mrs. Maria R. R. Gooch, Richmond." Original 2-page letter accompanies --one side only.  It is datelined July 17th, 1861. It says, in part, "So it seems as if we have had the big fight at last & so much looked & defeated; I will give it all in God's hands and hope he will enable the wise heads of our nation to manage the battles as he willeth & enable his people to say they will be done with perfect resignation & hope our fate will be better than we now expect....but since the Yankees are gaining on us, I think the better plan would be for you to come here and stay a week with me & then I would return with you & spend a week with you."  Signed "Yr friend, J. Watkins." Ex Sam Zimmerman. $900.

19191 RICHMOND / Va. // JUN 13 1862 cds with matching DUE 10 handstamp on soldier's due cover to Mrs. P. C. Everett, Haynesville, Georgia, endorsed J.A. Everett, Co. (K) 11th Ga. Reg. with additional ms. "2" advertised fee charged by the Haynesville postmaster, who then added "12" to indicate a total of 12¢ due from the recipient. Part of back flap missing. Haynesville did not have a local newspaper and would have had to use the paper in Macon, Georgia, (30 miles away) to advertise the envelope; discussed by Jaronski and Briggs in Vol. 47, 2002 issue of the Confederate Philatelist, pp. 133-34, 1973 CSA certificate; Ex Sloane, Bogg, Thacker, Briggs. $500.

J.A. Everett served in Co. K, 11th Regt. Georgia Volunteers. More information on linked page.

PETERSBURG Va. // AUG / 6 [1861] blue cds and matching PAID 10 (type D, CV $300) on folded business LETTER to P.C. Cameron Esq. Company Shops P.O. No Carolina from Jno. Kevan & Bro. regarding cotton and flour order. Ex Kathleen Staples. $250. Paul Carrington Cameron (1808-1891) was a planter, agricultural reformer, railway and road builder. Cameron's treatment of his slaves was firm but benign. "I had nineteen hundred of them once," he is quoted as saying many years after the Emancipation, "and I never was ashamed to look one of them in the face after they were freed." John H. Wheeler says that Cameron would tell with some zest how he had been prevailed upon by a friend to free a family of slaves and to settle them in Liberia under the care of the American Colonization Society, with a gift of a thousand dollars and house and food for twelve months provided, and how at the end of the year they appeared at the door of his mansion and begged him to take them back. Years after the war, many of his former slaves would greet him with respect and affection, and many of them attended his funeral in 1891, at which eight of his old black servants, some of whom had been slaves, bore his coffin to the hearse. The wealthiest man in the state at the beginning of the war, he was still the wealthiest, despite the loss of his slaves, at the end of it. By enterprise and sagacity, he was soon able to reestablish the economy of his plantations and to extend and diversify his business activities on a secure and stable basis. Source: NC Encyclopedia. Cameron Papers are housed at the Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

LYNCHBURG / Va. // OCT / 14 cds with matching neat arched PAID 5 (CC type D, CV $200) on small cover to Miss Sallie G. Waller, Temperance, Amherst County, Va. Small amount of paper loss on back flaps of little consequence. $90.

PETERSBURG / Va. // JUN / 23 cds with matching [due] 10 in blue on tiny homemade cover to Mrs. R.A. Crawford, Cotton Valley, Alabama, with soldier’s endorsement “A.H. Crawford, Co. ‘A’ 61st Ala. Regiment,” part of top back flap missing. CV $200. $130.

Abel H. Crawford (1843-1923) enlisted August 1, 1863, as a private in Company A, Alabama 61st Infantry.

LEXINGTON / Va. // JUL / 7 (1861) CDS with a noticeably stronger blue PAID / 5 on fresh cover to F. T. Andersen, Esq., Glenwood, Va.; contents docketing up left side “J.H. Myers / July 6/61,” small piece of top flap missing, Very Fine. Ex Emerson and Sam Zimmerman. $300.

The Postmaster at Lexington prepared envelopes with "PAID 5" and "PAID 10" in advance (thus provisionals), applying the dated postmark at the time of mailing, but they are considered provisionals only when unused, under a postally used general issue or mailed from another town. CCV $300 for stampless use (not provisional).

"Surry C H Va / 24 Dec 1862" and "Paid 10" on small, neat cover to Franklin Davis, Esq., Box No. 5, Staunton, Va., Very Fine. Ex Sam Zimmerman. Penciled origination docketing up left side “B.F. Nelson.” $160.

Franklin Davis was Virginia's most renowned tree nurseryman. Benjamin Franklin Nelson (1841-1932) served in Co. K, Virginia 25th Infantry as well as Co. B, Va. 31st Infantry, both Army of Northern Virginia.

"Surry C H Va / 14 Mar 1862" and "Paid 5" on cover to Franklin Davis, Esq., Staunton, Va., small piece of back flap missing, otherwise Very Fine. Ex Sam Zimmerman. Penciled origination docketing up left side “B.F. Nelson.” $160.

Franklin Davis was Virginia's most renowned tree nurseryman. Benjamin Franklin Nelson (1841-1932) served in Co. K, Virginia 25th Infantry as well as Co. B, Va. 31st Infantry, both Army of Northern Virginia.