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A Lincoln Assassination Conspirator - and the Vatican.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:40.00 USD Estimated At:80.00 - 110.00 USD
A Lincoln Assassination Conspirator - and the Vatican.
Envelope in hand of Union Gen. Rufus King, while postwar Minister to the Vatican. To "J.F. Howe, Esq., 284 Pearl St., New-York, Un. States." Green 1-shilling English stamp, tied by "traffic signal" round-bar fancy, and London c.d.s., Apr. 21, (18)66. Light red handstamp "Paid 5 Cents." Old mounting glue on verso, some stains and toning on front, else V.G., with sound stamp. King had first been appointed Minister to the Papal States before the war; just as he was about to sail, Fort Sumter was bombarded. Organizer of the celebrated Iron Brigade, King had an epileptic fit at Second Bull Run, and was replaced by Abner Doubleday. Resigning the Army in 1863, Lincoln reappointed King to Rome. Ironically, it was King who apprehended Lincoln conspirator John Surratt, having fled to Italy after the assassination: Surratt was nearly under King's nose, as a member of the Pontifical Zouaves, but it took Lady Luck and an old schoolmate to spot him. Triggering a series of adventures, King returned Surratt to the U.S. to stand trial in 1867. Rare usage.