Period envelope, approx. 5 1/2 x 3 1/8 in., addressed in ink to "Mrs. Fannie Chamberlain / Care Genl. Chamberlain / Annapolis / Md." Franked at upper right with a 3c rose Washington adhesive of the 1861 issue, tied by a concentric-ring target killer, with a WASHINGTON D.C. circular datestamp struck at left reading JUN 28 over '64.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

On June 18, 1864, Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain, commanding the First Brigade, First Division, Fifth Corps, led his men against the Confederate works at Rives' Salient before Petersburg. While directing the assault he was struck by a minie ball that passed through both hips, a wound his surgeons expected to prove fatal. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant promoted him to brigadier general on the spot, later recording in his Memoirs that it was the only promotion he made on the field of battle. Chamberlain was carried to the hospital at the Naval School in Annapolis, and his wife Fannie traveled from Brunswick, Maine, to be with him through the long convalescence. Against expectation he recovered sufficiently to return to the army that fall, and in April 1865 he was designated to receive the formal surrender of arms of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox. The Petersburg wound troubled him for the rest of his life; he died at Portland, Maine, on February 24, 1914.

Postmarked just ten days after the wounding, this cover reached Fannie in the most anxious days at Annapolis, when the newly made general's survival was still in doubt.

CONDITION

Overall toning and light soiling consistent with age; minor wear and small tears along the upper edge. Stamp fresh in color with full perforations. Postmark and killer well struck. Housed with a modern illustrated presentation sheet bearing portraits of Joshua and Fannie Chamberlain.   [ss][ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!