"Our Army and Navy, Gen. Butler, Com. Stringham," olive green and black full-front design, with Upham imprint on reverse, franked with 3c rose tied by black "Washington D.C. / Oct / 21" c.d.s., to South Hadley, Massachusetts, adhesive with two repaired tears, not detracting from the visual appear of this exceptional patriotic cover; with 2021 Philatelic Foundationxa certificate. (Walcott 373, Weiss PM-275)
Benjamin Butler (1818-93) was a politician, lawyer, and businessman from Massachusetts. He is best known as a political Major General of the Union Army, a role from which he was dismissed after his failures in the First Battle of Fort Fisher). He is also remembered for his later leadership role in the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. He was a colorful and often controversial political figure, and ran several campaigns for Governor of Massachusetts before his ultimate election to that office in 1882. Silas Stringham (1798-1876) was a US Navy officer who saw active service during the War of 1812, the Second Barbary War, the Mexican-American War, at the outset of the Civil War, when, as Rear Admiral, he commanded the Atlantic Blockading Squadron.