Auction # 59 - Robert J. Karrer Collection of Charleston SC

Confederacy, [End / Post War] "Head Quarters 54th Regiment, Mass. Volunteers. Charleston March 4th '65". Dateline on enclosed letter of cover to Roxbury Mass. bearing U.S. 3¢ rose (65) vertical pair, couple pulled perfs, cancelled by partial "Philada Mar 16" duplex, matching "U.S. Ship" straightline handstamp, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

After Charleston's evacuation the night of February 17-18, 1865, Union forces, including soldiers from the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Colored Infantry, occupied the city. Since the war still raged in Virginia, land transportation north was not yet possible. This letter from an officer in the 54th entered the mails by U.S. Naval Ship at Philadelphia and reads, "…such heaps of letters! All the ones that were lost too…".