POW220

USA #65 (stamp overhangs the cover edge at top and right) Pen-Cancelled and tied by the postal manuscript markings "Leesburg, Va May 25th 1865." Dated not long after the end of the war and one of the earliest uses when the Union postal service had been re-established in that part of Virginia (Loudoun County). Marked "Soldiers Letter" and addressed to Lieut L. M. Shumate, 8th Regt Va Infantry a Prisoner of War at Johnsons Island, Ohio. Lieut Shumate was still a POW at this time and had not yet been released. The oval Johnson's Island Prisoner's Letter Examined GFY Type A handstamp is on the reverse. Part of top back flap missing, but still a very clean cover. Lewis Murphy Shumate (1839-1919) enlisted as a private in Co C 8th Va Infantry 7/14/1861 and was commissioned 2nd Lieut 6/18/1862. Lieut Shumate was still on the rolls 12/15/1864. The 8th Va Inf was a Pickett's Charge regiment and suffered very heavy causalties in that action. Unknown if Lieut Shumate was involved in Pickett's Charge. He is listed as captured as a POW near the end of the war at Sailor's Creek (Va) 4/6/1865 and was confined at Johnson's Island until his Oath of Allegiance release 6/20/1865. After his release, he returned to his home in Loudoun County and went back to farming.

$450.00

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