1861 (June 5), Civil War surgical officer forwarded cover with
Congressional free frank, affixed with 3c dull red Washington, from
Danvers
1861 (June 5), Civil War surgical officer forwarded cover with
Congressional free frank, affixed with 3c dull red Washington, from
Danvers Centre, Massachusetts, to Washington D.C., redirected to
Lynn, Massachusetts, circular DANVERS CENTRE / MASS. (5 Jun) c.d.s.
with faint blue star cancellation, addressed to Bowman B. Breed
M.D., Surgeon of 8th Regt. Mass. V.M., Washington City, destination
struck through and re-addressed to Lynn, manuscript "C. H. Van Wyck
/ M.C." free frank at top, some sealed tears at upper left, else
fine. Dr. Bowman B. Breed, a prominent Lynn physician commissioned
as Surgeon of the 8th Massachusetts Three Month Volunteers in April
1861, had already completed his initial term of service and
departed Washington by the time this letter arrived. The free frank
is of New York Congressman Charles H. Van Wyck, who would later
organise and lead the 56th New York Infantry as Colonel while still
holding his Congressional seat.
