Union Cover

1861-1865

General Stonewall Jackson catches General Banks by suprise and defeats him at Front Royal and Winchester late in May. However, General Banks gains philatelic fame by establishing the first Army Post Office. Complete details are unknown, but apparently he has enough influence to secure a government appointed postmaster who accompanies his troops up the valley providing postal service from the rear of an army wagon. At first the initials "G.B.D" are used, and later a circular handstamp "General Banks' Division." of which two types are known. As far as we know, November, 1862, samps the end of this operation, but a "Banks' Division" cover in your collection provides a most interesting example of an early attempt to provide mail service to an army in hostile territory.