Confederate flag-of-truce cover
Object Details
- Description
- This June 28, 1864, letter is from Joseph Hincks to his sister Leda. It was sent through the regular Flag of Truce mail from Charleston to Hilton Head. The letter was then forwarded to Washington D.C., where the very scarce Department of the South marking was applied, and it entered the U.S. mail. The 3-cent 1861 stamp carried the letter to occupied New Orleans.
- The original letter (pictured) was probably in another envelope before reaching the point of exchange. The letter was opened and read at Hilton Head. It was then placed in another envelope before entering the mail.
- The letter begins:
- "My Dear Leda,
- I wrote you several days ago by flag of truce. You should have received my letter already which announces that I saw Capdeveille and other young people arriving from our place. I thank you, dear friend, for the medal that you sent to me. It has not left me since I received it, and I plan to use it as a talisman to protect me.
- I receive no letters from you at all. Nonetheless, in your place, I have written many times by way of Fort Monroe and by way of Hilton Head. It is very easy. Address your letters of one page, leave it unsealed, and put it in another envelope addressed to Genl Foster, Hilton Head, or to Comdg Officer Ft. Monroe."
- Data Source
- National Postal Museum
- Date
- June 30, 1864
- Object number
- 2003.2004.37
- Recipient
- Hincks
- Type
- Covers & Associated Letters
- Medium
- paper; ink / handwritten, handstamped
- Place
- North Carolina
- See more items in
- National Postal Museum Collection
- Title
- Scott Catalogue USA 65
- Topic
- Civil War and Reconstruction (1860-1877)
- Covers & Letters
- Record ID
- npm_2003.2004.37
