| POW237 |
Stampless
Cover Hand-Carried outside the postal system with no postal markings
addressed to Major A. M. Freeman, Old Capitol Prison, Washington, D.C.
Cover has the Old Capitol Prison Provost Marshal's Red Approved
handstamp (CC Type E) signed by Capt Henry B. Todd (Provost Marshal of
Washingon D.C.) indicating that Major Freeman, the addressee, was a
prisoner. Blue Crayon "828" of unknown significance. The interesting
thing is that there is no Major A. M. Freeman listed in the records
anywhere in the Confederate Army either as a line officer or as a staff
officer. There is a Major Adam M. Freeman listed in the Union Army
commissioned into the US Volunteers and served as an Army Paymaster in
the Paymaster's Office in Washington D.C. (1861-1865). Besides CSA
POW's, the Old Capitol Prison also held political prisoners, disloyal
dissidents, spies, and Union officers who had committed some
infraction. Perhaps Major Freeman was being held at the prison for
something related to his paymaster duties. Could find no other
information on a Major A. M. Freeman other than he was originally from
New York with no indication as to why he would have been held at the
prison. If he had been at the prison as part of his official duties as
a paymaster and not as a prisoner, his letters would not have been
examined and approved by the Provost Marshal. Perhaps further research
would discover more information. The cover is very high quality
stationery with a fancy "F" embossed on the back flap indicating that
it may very likely be from Major Freeman's wife. The red "Approved"
handstamp with Capt Todd's signature is scarce. Extremely Fine
Ex-Kaufmann. PF Certificate 2006 which only states "It is a genuine
usage, but carried out of the mails." |
$750.00 |
JLKCSA@aol.com
-- Confederate Order
Form --