POW197

South-to North Through-the-Lines POW cover which originated at Camp Oglethorpe Prison for Officers in Macon, Ga, with the Union Old Point Comfort, Va, double ring CDS and the Union handstamp DUE 6 as the Union postage was unpaid. This would be the inside envelope with the outer envelope, which would have had the CSA postage to the transfer point, discarded at the transfer point. Addressed to Mr. Emery Fiske, Newton Lower Falls, Massachusetts USA. Endorsed at upper left "Joseph E. Fiske, Capt Prisoner of War." Pencil examiner's mark at left "Ex CHB." The "CHB" examiner's mark has not been identified but is known to have been used at Camp Oglethorpe. Galen Harrison in his definitive book on Civil War POW mail lists only 28 covers from Camp Oglethorpe. Light stain at upper left, otherwise Very Fine. Joseph Emery Fiske (1839-1909) entered service as a Sergt  in Co C 43rd Massachusetts Infantry 9/1/1862. He was commissioned 2nd Lieut 5/29/1863 and transferred to Co B 2nd Massachusettes Heavy Artillery. He was subsequently promoted 1st Lieut 7/30/1863 and Capt 10/9/1863. He is listed as captured as a POW at the Battle of Plymouth (NC) 4/20/1864 (Confederate Victory) and confined for a short time initially in Wilmington NC and then transterred to Camp Oglethorpe in Macon, Ga. The Union officers captured at the Battle of Plymouth were the first POWs sent to Camp Oglethorpe. The enlisted men captured at that battle were sent to Andersonville. Capt Fiske was released 2/16/1865 (may have been exchanged) and mustered out with his unit 5/15/1865.

$800.00

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 --