Raynors HCA 2018-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/15/2018
A rare collection of 1st Kansas "Iron Clads" Colored Troop Volunteers transmittal covers, four (4) covers, ca. 1864. The 1st Kansas became the 79th U. S. C. T. when they were accepted into the United State service in June 1863. They saw hard service while serving throughout Kansas, Arkansas and Cherokee Territory and during Bank's Red River campaign at Poison Spring, Arkansas on April 18, 1864 they suffered over one hundred casualties. All the covers are, either to, or from Captain John R. Grafton, a resident of Leavenworth, Kansas, enlisted as captain in January, 1863 and was given command of Co. C. He was honorably discharged in October, 1865. Three of the four covers are inscribed with "Due 3" postal marks while one bears a three-cent Washington postal stamp. The [First cover] is addressed: "Capt. John R. Grafton, Co. "C." 1st Regt. Kansas Col. Vol. Infantry, Genl. Thayer's Division of Seventh Army Corps, Little Rock, Arkansas." The other "Due 3" covers are to Grafton's wife and bear the following inscriptions, reading, in part: [Second cover] "Soldiers Letter. R. G. Ward, Major 1st Kan's. Iron Clads." Ward first saw service in the war when he was commissioned major into the Colored Troops in May, 1863 and was mustered out of the 79th in October, 1865. [Third cover] "Soldiers Letters. Capt. J. R. Grafton, Comdg. Detach., 1st H. C. V. I." [Fourth cover] "Soldiers Letter. Wm. C. Gibbons, Adjutant, 1st Regt. Kas. Col. Vols." Gibbons entered the service in 1861 as a sergeant in the 1st Kansas Infantry (3 months), then reenlisted in the 2nd Kansas Cavalry until he was discharged for promotion into the 79th USCT. Docketing reads, in part: "Recd. May 1864…Capt. John R. Grafton, Company C. 1st Kansas Col. Vol. Inf:, Genl. Thayer's division of Seventh Army Corps. Camden, Arkansas." Expected condition issues, with light soiling, else VG (4 covers)
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