Item Description

#O37 3c ultramarine Navy Dept. official stamps, 2 singles, tied by black "WASHINGTON/D.C." cds and with black cancels, with second strike of Washington DC postmark at left, on 1876 cover addressed to Capt. W.A.T. Maddox, U.S.M.C., at Philadelphia. Pencil docketing in Capt. Maddox's handwriting at left, dates the cover Dec. 2, 1876. The addressee, William A.T. Maddox, (1804-1889), was born in Charles County, Md.; He fought as a Lt. in the Seminole War in Florida under Gen. Jessup in 1836; In 1837, he was appointed a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Marine Corps; Distinguished service in the Mexican War: in July, 1846, was on the U. S. Sloop "Cyane", which landed troops at Monterey, and was made Military Commandant of the garrison there; In Jan. 1847, he led his troops at the Battle of Santa Clara, and was promoted to Captain for gallantry in that battle and for services in quelling the insurrection at Monterey when garrison commander there; Was reassigned to Marine Headquarters at Washington, D.C., where he remained for the next 30 years, and retired from the USMC in 1880. Scarce - Scott Catalog value on cover for a single on cover is $250.00, much scarcer with 2 singles.The left stamp appears to have a pre-use diagonal crease.Fine-Very Fine.
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