Used Civil War envelope that has been addressed to Mrs. Mary Varnam, Lawrence, Mass., with bold stamped "Due 3." At the top of the cover is written, "Soldier Letter, A.P. Browne, Adjt. 40th Mass." Light wear from being opened.
Able Parker Browne, who mailed this envelope was a 26 year old clerk from Salem, Mass., when he enlisted on May 26, 1862, as a 1st sergeant, and was mustered into the Salem Cadets Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. On May 25, 1862, Union Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, sent out an alarm for militia troops from various states to be sent to Washington, D.C. immediately because of the route of the forces of General Nathaniel P. Banks by Confederate General Stonewall Jackson stating that the enemy were in large force and advancing on Washington. The Salem Cadets were one of the organizations called upon in this emergency. Browne was discharged for promotion on August 25, 1862, and on September 5, 1862, he was commissioned into the field and staff of the 40th Massachusetts Infantry serving as 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant of the regiment. He was promoted to major on August 26, 1863, and resigned his commission on March 5, 1864. After the war he was a member of G.A.R. Post #113, the Edward W. Kinsely Post, in Boston, Mass. |