| TN413 |
CSA #11 (AD) appears uncancelled with no postal markings. Civilian Through-the-Lines cover from East Tennesee with period "Flag of Truce" at the left edge. The stamp was meant to pre-pay the Confederate postage. At upper right is a period manuscript "Ex permitted L. A. Gratz, Maj a. a. a. Genl (Acting Assistant Adjutant General)"
which is the notation and signature of the Union Officer who examined
the original letter (not currently with the cover) and passed it
through the lines. Addressed to Mr. "Joe" G. Rhea, New Market, E. Tenn
Care of Genl Vaughn. This would be the inside cover that was allowed to
cross the lines and has no indication of the actual place of origin
which would have been on the outer envelope that was discarded. The
cover is a small commercially made yellow lined lady's type cover with
embossing on the back flap and is most likely from the addressee's wife
who was in Union occupied territory. The cover appears to have been
hand-carried outside the postal system to its final destination once it
crossed the lines under a Flag of Truce most likely by a courier who
accepted the mail and took it to the army. Very interesting and very
scarce Civilian Through-the-Lines cover from East Tennessee.
Lewis A. Gratz entered service as the Major of the 6th KY Cavalry (Union)
8/16/1862 and mustered out 7/15/1865 at Edgefield, Ten. The unit was
active throughout in Tennessee. No further information on Major Gratz.
From the address, it is evident that the addressee is a CSA soldier. Joseph G. Rhea enlisted as a private in Co F 62nd Ten Inf
10/1/1862. He was paroled in Georgia in 1865. He appears on the 1880
Federal Census as a farmer in Tennessee. The 62nd Ten Inf was part of
Vaughn's Brigade commanded by Brig-Gen Alfred Jefferson Vaughn Jr
(1830-1899) mentioned in the address. The brigade was assigned to the
Department of East Tennessee beginning in December 1863. That would
date this cover to very late 1863 or early 1864. |
$500.00 |
JLKCSA@aol.com
-- Confederate Order
Form --