This legal-size envelope is clearly distressed. There is staining and some reduction. There are tears, too. I didn't acquire this because I was impressed with the condition. It was the fact that, though I've been a collector since 1978, I have never seen another of this type. I am sure others are out there but there can't be many. This postally used, war-dated cover would reasonably bring $75 or more in nice condition.

Adding to the desirability of this piece is a notation that someone associated with the 8th Ohio Battery is the recipient. This officer appears to be Lieutenant Jacob M. Porter. He enlisted in the 8th Ohio Light Artillery in January of 1862 as a Private. He was promoted to 1st Sergeant (date unknown) and then to Lieutenant.

This Ohio regiment was heavily engaged at the battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, Raymond and Champion's Hill. So here you have an item from a truly historic and hard-fought regiment. But Lt. Porter's story doesn't end with the 8th Ohio Battery.

In September of 1863, Porter was discharged from the 8th Ohio Battery in order to take a Captaincy with the 3rd US Colored Troops Heavy Artillery. According to the Civil War Database, this regiment basically garrisoned Fort Pickering until the end of the war, with little or no combat. But the same database says a member of the regiment named Bostwick was killed in action at Petersburg. So perhaps part of the unit was detached from the Western theater to serve out east. Whether Captain Porter was among them or not is unknown.

I'm pricing this cover for a quick sale at just a few dollars more than I paid for it.

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