US Naval Forces in the Civil War

Cachets should be listed in chronological order based on earliest known usage. Use the postmark date or best guess. This applies to add-on cachets as well.

 

Thumbnail Link To Cachet Close-Up Image	Thumbnail Link To Full Cover Front Image	Thumbnail Link To Postmark or Back Image	Postmark Date Postmark Type Killer Bar Text Ship --------- Category

 

N/A		N/A	1861-07-31 Grid cancel Chicago IL
			Mail to USA Officer USS MARION (1839-1897)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
U.S. Mail Steamer MARION. 3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26), two, tied by blue grid cancels, matching "Chicago Ills. Jul. 31" (1861) circular datestamp on bright buff cover to Lieut. William Montrose Graham, 1st Regt. U.S. Artillery, at Fort Jefferson, Tortugas, Florida, sender's route and ship-name directive "via Havana. By the U.S. Mail Steam-ship Marion to sail from New York August 3d", redirected to the care of the Adjutant General, Washington D.C., "U.S. Ship 3 cts." oval handstamp applied by route agent, "Washington D.C. Dec. 7, 1861" circular datestamp on back, Very Fine, scarce use from the start of the Civil War, Fort Jefferson was occupied by federal forces on Jan. 18, 1861, but the post office was not opened until October.

 

N/A		N/A	1862-04-24 Grid cancel Castine ME
			Mail to USN Sailor USS ADOLPH HUGEL (1861-1865)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
U.S. Yard Boat ADOLPH HUGEL. 3c Rose (65) tied by grid cancel, "Castine Me. Apr. 24" circular datestamp (date in manuscript) on red and blue Washington and Union Flag Patriotic cover to a sailor "on board the U.S. yard boat Adolph Hugel, Alexandria Va.", part of side flap trimmed and repaired corner fault, still Fine and presentable, the schooner Adolph Hugel was commissioned in 1862 and served in the Mortar Flotilla during the bombardment of New Orleans and further action against Mobile.

 

N/A		N/A	1862-07-02 Grid cancel Brooklyn NY
			Mail to USN Sailor USS BAINBRIDGE (1842-1863)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
"U.S. Brig 'BAINBRIDGE' New York". Sender's manuscript endorsement on colorless embossed General McClellan and Flag Patriotic cover to Newton Mass., 3c Rose (65) tied by grid cancel, "Brooklyn N.Y. Jul. 2, 1862" double-circle datestamp, red and blue trim on flaps, stamp with small piece out at left from separation by sender, otherwise Very Fine, built in 1842 the Bainbridge was commissioned at the start of the war to protect Union shipping through Panama and in 1862 joined the Gulf Blockading Squadron.

 

N/A		N/A	c 1863 "US Ship" circular marking
			Sailor's Mail USS ETHAN ALLEN (1861-1865)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
"From U.S. Barque Eathan Allen." Sender's manuscript endorsement on cover to Charlestown Mass., clearly struck "U.S. Ship 3 cts." in circle handstamp, red "Charlestown Mass." straightline handstamp, Very Fine incoming naval ship letter, the bark Ethan Allen I patrolled the Gulf of Mexico from 1861 to 1863, cruised along the New England coast June-October 1863 and then joined the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron in November 1863.

 

N/A		N/A	c 1863-10-07 Target Cancel New York NY
			Sailor Mail USS HOUSATONIC (1862-1864)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
"U.S.S. HOUSATONIC". Congdon correspondence to Williamsburgh N.Y., with a pair of 3c Rose (65), related to the U.S.S. Housatonic, tied by target cancel and "New-York 7 Oct." double-circle datestamp with printed "U.S.S. Housatonic" ship endorsement, some slight wear and toning.

 

N/A		N/A	1864-02-17 Double-Circle Cancel Old Point Comfort, VA
			Sailor Mail USS HOUSATONIC (1862-1864)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
"U.S.S. HOUSATONIC". Congdon correspondence to Williamsburgh N.Y., with a pair of 3c Rose (65), tied by segmented cork cancel and an "Old Point Comfort Va. Feb. 17" (1864) double-circle datestamp with manuscript "U.S.S. Housatonic" endorsement, used the day the ship was sunk.

 

N/A		N/A	1864-09-17 Duplex Cancel Philadelphia, PA
			Sailor Mail USS CANANDAIGUA (1862-1875)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
"USS CANANDAIGUA". Congdon correspondence to Williamsburgh N.Y., with a pair of 3c Rose (65), manuscript "U.S.S. Canandaigua" endorsement, "Phila Pa. Sep. 17, 1864" duplex datestamp with "U.S. SHIP" handstamp. Mailed by a survivor of the USS Housatonic sinking, who was picked up by the USS Canandaigua.

 

N/A		N/A	1862-12-24 "US SHIP" circular marking
			Sailor Mail USS HUNTSVILLE (1861-1865)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
"U.S. Ship 3 cts." in circle handstamp, with pencil docketing date "Dec. 24, 1862" to New York City, sender's endorsement "from U.S.S. Huntsville".

 

N/A		N/A	1863-06-01 "US SHIP" circular marking
			Sailor Mail USS KITTATINNY (1861-1865)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
"U.S. Ship 3 cts." in circle handstamp, to Elizabeth N.J., sender's endorsement "From the U.S. Gunboat 'Kittatinny'". Blue circular marking from "Pension Office" dated 1 June 1863.

 

N/A		N/A	c 1865-07-24 Double-Circle Cancel Boston MA
			Sailor Mail USS KATAHDIN (1862-1865)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
U.S. Steam Gun boat Katahdin". Sender's manuscript endorsement on buff cover to Cambridgeport Mass., clear strikes of "Boston Mass. Jul. 24" double-circle datestamp, "SHIP" and "Due 3 cents." straightline handstamps, the Unadilla class ("90-day gunboat") Katahdin I served in Farragut's fleet during the assault on New Orleans, she then operated on the Mississippi River and in 1863 joined the blockade of the Texas coast, the Boston "Ship" marking is scarce on naval mail.

 

N/A		N/A	1864-04-13 Double-Circle Cancel Port Royal SC
			Sailor Mail USS LEHIGH (1863-1898)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
"FLAG SHIP, So. Atl. Bl. Squadron". Two-line imprint from the US Flagship Lehigh on cover with beautiful printed address to Mary L. Forrest in Baltimore from her husband, Lt. Moreau Forrest, 3c Rose (65) tied by target cancel with "Port Royal S.C. Apr. 13, '64" double-circle datestamp, with original letter datelined "Lehigh, April 8, 1864" , stamp torn at left from separation, slightly reduced at left, otherwise Very Fine cover, the Lehigh was a single-turret monitor which participated in major campaigns during the war.

 

N/A		N/A	1864-08-24 Circular Datestamp Norwichtown CT
			Mail to a Sailor USS MACEDONIAN (1836-1871)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
USS Macedonian. Small cover addressed to a midshipman on board the USS Macedonian at Gardiner's Bay, "via Greenport, Long Island", "Norwichtown Ct. Aug. 24" (1864?) circular datestamp and "FREE" handstamp, franked "L F S Foster", neat receipt docketing at left, Very Fine, from the beginning of 1864 the frigate USS Macedonia was stationed at Gardiner’s Bay for naval practice and patrol along the Long Island Sound.

 

N/A		N/A	1864-03-01 Target Cancel Cairo IL
			Sailors mail USS MARMORA (1862-1865)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
"U.S. Gunboat Marmora, Mississippi Squadron". Two-line imprint on cover to Waterboro Me. with 3c Rose (65), straight edge at right, tied by target cancel and "Cairo Ill. Mar. 1 '64" circular datestamp, few small stained spots, Very Fine, the Marmora was a stern wheel steamer in the Mississippi Squadron, notably she participated in operations against the Confederate stronghold at Vicksburg and in the attack on Fort Hindman, Arkansas.

 

N/A		N/A	1862-02-26 Circular Datestamp Baltimore MD
			Sailors mail USS MIAMI (1862-1865)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
"From the USS Gun Boat Miami". Sender's endorsement on small cover to Philadelphia, blue "Baltimore Md. Feb. 26" (1862) circular datestamp and matching "Due 3" in circle handstamp, large blue crayon "3" due rate, pencil docketing on back with Feb. 26, 1862 date, slight wear at upper right, Very Fine, at this date the Miami I was on her way to join the Mortar Flotilla in Admiral Farragut's impending attack on New Orleans, this is a scarce naval endorsement and also a scarce entry into the mails at Baltimore.

 

N/A			1862-04-05 Circular Datestamp Baltimore MD
			Sailors mail USS MINNESOTA (1857-1868)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
"From the US flag ship Minnesota Hampton Roads VA". Sender's manuscript endorsement on light green overall lithographed cover to Red Hook N.Y., 3c Rose (65), rich color, pulled perf, tied by blue "Baltimore Md. Apr. 5" (1862) circular datestamp, original letter on red and blue Patriotic letterhead with Eagle and "Union & Liberty" scroll, datelined Hampton Roads Apr. 3, 1862, one month after the famous naval battle between the Monitor and Merrimack, cover has edge faults mostly along right edge, but Fine and attractive, scarce naval endorsement and entry into mails at Baltimore.

 

N/A		N/A	1864-06-10 Double-Circle Cancel New York NY
			Sailors mail USS MONTAUK (1862-1865)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
"US Navy Letter, Steamer Montauk". Sender's manuscript endorsement on yellow cover to Cohasset Mass., 3c Rose (65) tied by 4-Point Rosette in Circle fancy cancel with "New-York Jun. 10, 1864" double-circle datestamp, stamp has tiny tear at top, still Extremely Fine, an attractive cover and very rare naval ship use, the Montauk I was a single-turret monitor built by John Ericsson that participated in the naval attack on Charleston in 1863, she is most famous for serving as the floating mortuary for John Wilkes Booth's autopsy and temporary prison for his six accomplices in 1865.

 

N/A		N/A	1865-03-28 Circular Datestamp New Orleans LA
			Sailors mail USS OCTARARA (1862-1865)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
"U.S.S. Octorara, Mobile Bay". Sender's manuscript endorsement on cover addressed to the Fleet Engineer's Office in New Orleans, entered post office there with "New Orleans La. Mar. 28" (1865) circular datestamp, "Due 4" in circle and "Drop Letter" straightline handstamps, pencil year date on back, slightly reduced at left, Extremely Fine, very rare "Drop Letter" marking and an even rarer naval endorsement from a vessel that participated in the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864.

 

N/A		N/A	1862-10-27 Circular Datestamp New Orleans LA
			Sailors mail USS ORVETTA (1862-1865)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
"United states schooner Orvetta". Sender's manuscript endorsement on red and blue Eagle and Shield Patriotic cover to Elberfeld, Prussia, Germany, sender's notation "ships lettres", clear strike of "U.S. Ship 3 cts." in circle handstamp, "New-York Br. Pkt. 23 Oct. 27" 23c debit datestamp, blue manuscript Prussian due marking, red Aachen receiving backstamp (Nov. 12), with original letter datelined "Pensicola den 19 October" in German from Louis Klapp, writer's address instructions "United states schooner Orvetta, Bomb Flotilla, Commandar D. D. Porter by am Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York", overall toning but still attractive and Fine, the Orvetta I was a naval schooner fitted out with mortars for the bomb flotilla organized by David D. Porter in support of Admiral Farragut's assault on New Orleans, this letter was written from Pensacola (circa 1862-63) -- very rare use.

 

N/A		N/A	1862-06-05 Circular Datestamp Port Royal SC
			Sailors mail USS PAWNEE (1860-1882)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
"From the U.S. Steamer Pawnee". Sender's manuscript endorsement at lower left corner of red and blue Liberty, Flag and "The War for the Union" Patriotic cover to Boston Mass., 3c Rose (65), straight edge, tied by target cancel, "Port Royal S.C. Jun. 5" circular datestamp, receiving backstamp, with original letter datelined "US Gunboat Pawnee Sept. 8th 1862" from a sailor recently transferred to the Pawnee and about to embark on blockading patrol, interesting description of armaments, slightly reduced at left, stain spots at right, otherwise Fine, scarce patriotic use from a navy vessel with a storied Civil War career.

 

N/A		N/A	1862-03-15 Double-Circle Cancel Boston MA
			Sailors mail USS ST. LOUIS (1828-1865)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
"Naval Letter W. F. Stewart, 1st Lieut. USS St. Louis". Scarce properly endorsed naval cover to Clyde N.Y., beautiful bold strikes of red "Boston Mass. Mar. 15" (ca. 1862) double-circle datestamp, "SHIP" and "Due 6 cts." straightline handstamps, Extremely Fine, at the time of mailing the St. Louis patrolled the Atlantic, the African coast and areas around the Canary Islands and Azores in search of Confederate commerce raiders.

 

N/A		N/A	1862-04-23 Double-Circle Cancel Washington DC
			Sailors mail USS SATELLITE (1861-1863)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
"U.S.S. 'Satellite', Potomac Flotilla". Sender's endorsement on red and blue Eagle and Shield Patriotic cover to East Haven Conn., two 3c Rose (65) tied by "Washington D.C. (Apr?) 23" (ca 1862) circular datestamp, stamps have toning and small faults, cover slightly worn and soiled, small tear at right, still Fine, rare patriotic use with naval endorsment from the Satellite I on active duty in the Potomac Flotilla.

 

N/A		N/A	1862-11-10 Circular Datestamp Philadelphia PA
			Sailors mail USS SOUTH CAROLINA (1861-1866)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
"From U.S. Steamer 'South Carolina', South Atlantic Blockading Squadron". Neatly written sender's endorsement on cover to Newton Mass., 3c Rose (65), perf flaws and toning, tied by bold "Philadelphia Pa. Nov. 10, 1862" circular datestamp, "U.S. SHIP" straightline handstamp, docketed on back, Very Fine, at this time the South Carolina was on blockading duty off Charleston S.C.

 

N/A		N/A	c 1862-04 Double-Circle Cancel Old Point Comfort, VA
			Sailors mail USS WILLIAM BACON (1862-1865)

Courtesy of the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
From U.S. Schr. William Bacon, Porter's Mortar Flotilla". Neatly written sender's endorsement on yellow cover to Medway Mass., 3c Rose (65) tied by "Old Point Comfort Va." double-circle datestamp (date unclear), slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, the schooner William Bacon was assigned in 1862 to the mortar flotilla attached to Flag Officer David G. Farragut's West Gulf Blockading Squadron, this is a very scarce naval endorsement.

 

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