Description

FREE DOMESTIC SHIPPING Absolutely an original item, not a reproduction. This item is a "Soldier's Due" in philatelic terms--to denote an envelope without stamps but with the postage unpaid, sent from the front where soldiers did not have the ability to find stamps or money to purchase stamps. The addressee paid the postage. You are purchasing both the postal envelope and the original letter. An original envelope with the original letter present, both are in excellent condition. Content as follows: Fort Delaware March 1 st 1865 Mr. Dan’l K. Stewart Dear Sir: You must excuse me for not answering your letter of the 23 rd sooner, but I decided to wait the arrival of the Tea before writing. Allow me to thank you for your prompt attention to my request. I regret that I cannot as yet inform you when I will leave here. If the many rumors that are afloat are true, it will be some time before I have that pleasure. I have not heard from home since the last I informed you of. Will you please mail me a paper occasionally, the News for instance. With many thanks for the Tea, I remain Very Respectfully Yours, R. C. Chamberlayne 3 rd Co. Howitzers, 1 st Va. Artillery 4 th Div: Care Capt. G. W. Abe. Fort Delaware Here is my initial research to give you some history and context: Richard C. Chamberlayne was drafted March 17, 1864 in Richmond as a Private into B. H. Smith’s Company of Light Artillery, also known as the 3 rd Company Richmond Howitzers. His first service to the Confederacy was when he enlisted at Richmond on April 21, 1861 as a private in Company A of the 46 th Virginia Infantry. He was mustered-out on November 8, 1862. When he enlisted in April 1861 he listed his occupation as “Clerk” and his residence as on Leigh Street in Richmond, betwwn 5 th and 6 th . On May 10, 1864 he was captured at the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse [Virginia] and sent to Fort Delaware. I believe that Private Chamberlayne (of the Chamberlaynes who lived at Brook Hill, Azalea on the northern outskirts of Richmond just into Henrico County and for whom Chamberlayne Avenue in Richmond are named) was one of the clerks for Scottish Tobacco Merchant Brothers John Stewart and Daniel Kerr Steward (1809-1889). During the War Between the States, Daniel fled Richmond to New York to manage the brothers’ business affairs while John stayed in Richmond to also manage the brothers’ business affairs. I believe that Private Chamberlayne wrote Daniel in New York because it was easier to write and easier for Daniel to facilitate advocating for his (Chamberlayne’s) parole. Virginia's Richmond Howitzers 3rd Company Formed at the Baptist Seminary, Richmond, Virginia, in June 1861. It was attached to the 1st Regiment Virginia Artillery, then became an independent company. The battery was assigned to J. T. Brown's and R. A. Hardaway's Battalion of Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia. It served in the Richmond area, saw action from the Maryland Campaign to Cold Harbor, and participated in the siege operations against Richmond and the Appomattox Campaign. At Gettysburg the unit had 62 men engaged, but many were captured at Sayler's Creek on April 6, 1865. It was included in the surrender of the army. Captains Edgar F. Moseley, Benjamin H. Smith, Jr., and Robert C. Stanard were in command. B.H. Smith's Company, Virginia Light Artillery Terms and Conditions: FREE United States of America Postal Service to anywhere in the United States. Uninsured International, including Canada, shipments are $8.95. If you bid on multiple items, I will try to adjust the shipping charges when I send an invoice, if you allow me to send the invoice rather than just paying yourself. All international shipments that request registered mail (insurance generally unavailable) will be charged a flat $14 for this service. The United States Postal Service has an excellent record with my shipments. I have been a member of the American Philatelic Society since 1978 and have been selling on eBay for years. Virginia buyers must pay our Governor's 5.3% sales tax unless you email a PDF of your Virginia resale certificate immediately after your purchase. Buy with trust and confidence. I will work to make you happy. Thank you for taking the time to view my items and make sure to review the items in my eBay retail store.