3070 – ERIVAN X

10c rose, 1862, horizontal pair, mostly large margins, clear at top, tied by "Columbia /S.C. / Aug / 13" c.d.s. in blue to "State of South Carolina / Executive Council Chamber" cover to Brigadier General J.J. Pettigrew, "care A. General Cooper", Richmond, Virginia, redirected to Gordonsville, "care of Genl. Lee", docketing on reverse "Gov. Pickens / Aug 12th 1862 / Friendly", slightly reduced at right, some overall aging, a desirable cover, linking many prominent political and military figures of the period; ex-Meroni. Francis Wilson Pickens served as Governor of South Carolina at the time of the State’s secession from the Union.  J.J. Pettigrew served in the South Carolina House of Representatives, and later as an aide to the Governor; he was promoted to brigadier general by Jefferson Davis prior to the Penninsula Campaign. Samuel Cooper was Adjutant General of the United States Army prior to the Civil War, later serving as both Adjutant General and Inspector General of the Confederate Army.  Robert E Lee, at the time this cover was despatched, was leading the Army of Northern Virginia, having assumed command only two months prior in June, following the wounding of Joseph E. Johnston. Lee had been ordered to Gordonsville, in what would become the Second Manassas Campaign.