| TX427 |
Stampless
DUE cover with the small double circle Marshall,
Tex CDS and handstamp (Due) 10 Type F.
Addressed to Dr. Ja H. Starr, Nacogdoches, Texas. Endorsed at the top "from
Cadet Jas F Starr." Short one-page folded letter written on
lined notebook paper from a son to his father. The letter is datelined "Marshall
Dec 4th 1863."
Of interest is that the letter mentions three generals -- Polk takes
command of the Trans-Mississipp Dept, Smith takes the field in this
Dept, Holmes goes to Tennessee. Light vertical central file fold and a
small internal fold split sealed with archival tape, but still an
overall Very Fine appearance. Ex-Bogg and initialed by Brian Green.
James Harper Starr (1806-1890) was born in Connecticut but came to
Texas in 1837. He practiced medicine in Nacogdoches. He served as an
army surgeon and as the Texas Secretary of the Treasury during the
Republic of Texas period. In February 1864, he was appointed the
Trans-Mississippi agent for the CSA postal service responsible for all
Confederate postal operations west of the Mississippi and responsible
for devising methods of transporting the mail across the Mississippi.
He was headquartered in Marshall, Texas. After the Fall of Vicksburg,
the Confederacy was essentially split in two. After the war, he founded
the first bank in Marshall, Texas.
James
Franklin Starr (1844-1902), Dr Starr's son and the writer of the
letter, enlisted as a private in Co A 4th Tex Cav 9/1/1861 and received
a Cadet appointment in April 1863. The use of a Cadet appointment in
the CSA was an intermediate rank in preparation for commissioning as an
officer. It was apparently not used very often. He was commissioned and
at the end of the war was serving as the adjutant of Hardeman's Brigade
with the rank of Major. After the war, he went to Marshall, Texas, and
engaged in business and banking with his father, Dr Starr. |
$350.00 |
JLKCSA@aol.com
-- Confederate Order
Form --