Thursday, July 5, 2012

Letters for Soldiers -- Official Orders


The following letter has been addressed to all the Generals commanding Departments, in the expectation that they will cause the information to be communicated to their respective commands:


POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
Appointment office, February, 20, 1862

SIR: – In order to prevent, as far as possible, loss of valuable letters mailed by soldiers in the various camps, this Department recommends that each commander of a regiment or a brigade shall appoint a trustworthy agent into whose hands all letters from soldiers containing valuable inclosures shall be placed, with pre-payment by stamps and the register fee of five cents.  It should be the duty of said agents to deliver such letters to a convenient post office daily, or as frequently as mails are sent from such office, with two lists, showing the name of each writer and the address of each letter.  One list, with the letters and registering fee, should be placed in the hands of the postmaster or registering clerk, who shall sign and return one copy, and file the other in his office, with the date when received.  A failure to register increases the danger of loss.  It is respectfully suggested that you take such order upon the propositions as the interests of the soldiers under your command shall require.

I have the honor to by your ob’t servant,

JOHN A. CASSON,
First Assistant Postmaster General.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3

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