Description:

Alfred Ely
Richmond, VA, December 13, 1861
Congressman Captured at Battle of Bull Run Free Franks Letter for Fellow Prisoner from Richmond Prison Shortly Before Being Exchanged
Free Frank

ALFRED ELY, Autograph Free Frank on Envelope, December 13, [1861], Old Point Comfort, Virginia. 1 p., 4.75" x 2.75". Carte-de-Visite of Alfred Ely. New York: E. Anthony, n.d. 1 p., 2.5" x 4".

Congressman Alfred Ely of New York was captured while observing the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861. While a prisoner in Richmond, Ely free-franked this envelope with a letter (not present) from Bernard B. Vassall (1835-1894) of the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry to Vassall's first cousin, attorney Samuel R. Barton (1839-1908) of North Oxford, Massachusetts. Both Vassall and Barton were nephews of Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross. The envelope is postmarked at Old Point Comfort, Virginia, nearly two weeks before Ely was exchanged for former Congressman Charles J. Faulkner of Virginia, who had been arrested for negotiating arms sales for the Confederacy while serving as Minister to France.

Also included is a carte-de-visite of Ely taken at Brady's National Portrait Gallery and published by Edward Anthony of New York City.

Complete Transcript
Alfred Ely. / M.C.
Samuel R. Barton Esq.
North Oxford / Massachusetts
From a prisoner of War Richmond Va

Alfred Ely (1815-1892) was born in Connecticut and attended Bacon Academy at Colchester. In 1835, he moved to Rochester, New York, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1841. He practiced law in Rochester and was elected as a Republican to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served from 1859 to 1863. While witnessing the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861, he was captured by the Confederates and imprisoned at Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. After six months of imprisonment, he was exchanged for a Congressman from Virginia. Ely was set free from Libby Prison on Christmas Day, 1861. He resumed the practice of law and returned to Congress. He published a journal of his experience in Libby Prison in 1862.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 4.75" x 2.75"; 2.5" x 4"
  • Medium: Free Frank

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