This postally-used cover is pretty special. Aside from being in exceptionally good condition for a used envelope, it was sent to a member of one of the Civil War's elite regiments. Joseph Shelly was a member of the 1st Pennsylvania Rifles Volunteer Corps. That was their formal name but they were best known as the "Pennsylvania Bucktails"! The Bucktails (along with the 13th Penna. Reserves) eventually became part of the hard-fought 42nd Pennsylvania Infantry. These guys were in all the major battles of the Army of the Potomac up to and including the battle of Spotsylvania. They are probably best known for their ferocious defense of Little Round Top at Gettysburg, along with the 20th Maine, 83rd Pennsylvania and so on. Their commander -- Charles Taylor -- was killed at Little Round Top.

 

There are no contents here -- this is just a cover, not a letter. But anything associated with famed Bucktails is furiously sought-after by collectors. This cover was sent very early in the war because it is in care of Lieutenant Colonel Kane, who founded and recruited the regiment. He specifically sought hunters, farmboys and Pennsylvania men who had to shoot every day of their lives just to get by. Soon, the regiment would be known not only for its marksmanship, but for the buck tails they wore from their hats. Kane left the regiment to take command of a brigade in 1862, so this cover must have been sent before then. Little is known of Corporal Shelly's service but he is listed in the Civil War database.

 

This is just a beautiful cover -- not a patriotic, but a lovely design -- and it sports a nice stamp with a dark, grid cancel. Back is blank. Right side has been very carefully opened.