FL259

Stampless PAID cover with a full strike of the very distinctive Welaka, Fla double ring CDS and handstamp PAID 5 Type B 16 JAN (1862). Orange paper cover from the Bryant-Stephens Correspondence with a Military Address to Lieut Winston Stephens Care of Capt Hopkins, St Johns Rangers, Fernandina, Florida. St Johns Rangers was a local name for Co B 2nd Fla Cav as most of the men were recruited from St. John County. The Briggs Census lists 6 Welaka PAID 5 Type B covers. Cover with just a little edge staining but is very clean with very bold strikes of all the postal markings. Ex-Agre. Winston J. T. Stephens (1829-1864) was commissioned 1st Lieut 10/19/1861 in Co B 2nd Fla Cav and promoted Capt 4/19/1862. He is listed as Killed-in-Action at the Skirmish at Cedar Creek (Jacksonville, Fla) 3/1/1864 not long after the Battle of Olustee 2/20/1864. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Welaka. Octavia L. (Bryant) Stephens (1841-1908) married Winston Stephens in 1859. She apparently did not remarry and is also buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Welaka. John D. Hopkins (b1827) was commissioned Capt of Co E 2nd Fla Cav on 7/5/1861 but resigned 5/11/1862 (reason not given). He re-enlisted as a private in Co F 9th Fla Inf 2/16/1863 and was promoted Lt 9/30/1863 surrendering with the regiment at Appomattox.

$1,000.00 SOLD

If you wish to order this cover, send me an E-mail or use my secure Confederate Order Form. Clicking on my Confederate Order Form link below will open the order form in a new window or tab which can be kept open while you browse the remainder of the listings. JLKCSA@aol.com -- Confederate Order Form --