Confederate cover with U. S. postal issue used after secession

United States 3-cent George Washington (USA Scott 26), tied by a black seven-bar gridiron. Envelope is postmarked by Charleston, South Carolina, December 31, 1860, concentric circle date stamp on white envelope addressed to Washington, District of Columbia.

The sender of this envelope is 1st Lt. Theodore Talbot of the 1st Regiment of Artillery of the garrison within Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor. He is writing to his mother, Adelaide Talbot.

This letter was mailed shortly after South Carolina seceded from the Union on December 20, 1860. South Carolina was admitted to the Confederacy on February 4, 1861, and therefore this cover represents Independent State usage of United Sates postage.

Mail continued to travel uninterrupted under the service of the U.S. Post Office Department until the Confederate Post Office Department officially began service on June 1, 1861. A 3-cent stamp paid the letter rate for a distance less than 3,000 miles.

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