U.S. Confederate Cover

Tuscumbia, Ala Handstamp PAID 20 Dietz Type 1 20 (ms) 1 Oct (1861 by period docketing). Large business size cover addressed to Alex H. Stephens Vice President CSA Richmond, Va. Long summary on the back concerning one W.R. Smith who expects to be appointed to the command of a regiment. William R.Sith was Lt Col of the 3rd Alabama Battalion and was later promoted Colonel of the 26th Ala Inf in March 1862. The cover is very clean with full strikes of the postal markings and with one minor edge repair at the lower right. The double rate usage over 500 miles is a scarce Tuscumbia usage.