![MISSISSIPPI. S. K. Smith, Army [of] Miss.[issippi]. Twenty-Five Cents. 'August, 1862'. Printed in...](http://www.stacksarchive.com/gallery/SL0505b/43/SL0505b4300t2.jpg "MISSISSIPPI. S. K. Smith, Army [of] Miss.[issippi]. Twenty-Five Cents. 'August, 1862'. Printed in...") MISSISSIPPI. S. K. Smith, Army [of] Miss.[issippi]. Twenty-Five Cents. 'August, 1862'. Printed in all blue on white paper bill of lading from 'Julius Hessee'. 125mm by 56mm. Ornate end panel frame, flat frame lines on the top and bottom. At the top center, eagle on top of globe with wings in defense mode. At upper right 'ARMY, MISS.' below serial 'No.' position. To the vignette right large '25'. Across center, 'Due by S.K. SMITH, to bearer,/TWENTY-FIVE CENTS,/In Confederate Notes, when presented in sums of Ten Dollars,/or its multiple.' Date at lower left and position for signature at lower right. No imprint. Keller MS-SA025. Rarity 7. Kraus 54891; Rarity 7.
Fully signed and issued. No.1712. Simply a fabulous title for a Sutler. This issue is quite historic and this example came from the collection of the Chase Manhattan Bank Money Museum of odd denominations and unusual American currencies. According to Douglas ball in the 1980 Memphis catalogue, this note was issued during their Tennessee campaign in 1862. This issuer missing from the comprehensive Criswell Collection and the Byron Cook Collection.
Superior to the example in the 2000 Memphis Auction Sale (lot 1721, likely to be ex Western Reserve Historical Society). The top has been trimmed into the blue frame line, but bright and with crispness still present. A small spot at upper right and a petty pinhole/thin at the upper right corner. Very Fine.
Ex Memphis '80 Sale (NASCA, June 6-7, 1980, lot 816); Chase Manhattan Bank Money Museum.
The Army of Mississippi's genesis began on March 5, 1862, initially from the Confederate forces scattered from defeats at the hands of General Grant in the preceding months. Later in March, with Beauregard in command, the ''Army'' is supplemented with troops from Polk's Army of Kentucky and General A.S. Johnston. In May, 1864 Lt. Col. Leonidas Polk renamed the combined forces of the departments of Alabama, Mississippi, and Eastern Louisiana as the Army of Mississippi. He opposed Sherman on the way to Atlanta. He had two cavalry divisions and 20,000 men. In July, Polk's command was joined by the Army of Tennessee and was renamed Stewart's Corps.
| |
|
![Click to open a larger image - MISSISSIPPI. S. K. Smith, Army [of] Miss.[issippi]. Twenty-Five Cents. 'August, 1862'. Printed in...](http://www.stacksarchive.com/gallery/SL0505b/43/SL0505b4300a.jpg "Click to open a larger image - MISSISSIPPI. S. K. Smith, Army [of] Miss.[issippi]. Twenty-Five Cents. 'August, 1862'. Printed in...")
