Details For Cover ID# 15621

CSS lauel, Inbound Blockade cover, oversize blue cover, embossed Greenwood & Batley flap embossing, from Burton correspondence, carried by the blockade runner Laurel from Nassau, Bahamas, entered CSA mails with Charleston December 2 postmark, oval Steam-Ship handtsamp and pencil "Due 22" double ship rate, ex Walske
CSA Navy Commander James D. Bulloch bought the newly completed steamer Laurel in England on 4 October 1864 for the CSA Navy as part of a package deal with the Sea King. She departed Leeds on the 9th, under the command of Lt. John  F. Ramsey, CSN carrying a larger than ordinary crew, and armaments, as well as the cover at left (from Greenwood & Batley, Machinists, Leeds dated  6 October 1864).

The Laurel rendezvoused at Funchal, Madeira, with Sea King, about to be commissioned CSS Shenandoah. The Laurel supplied the new  CSA cruiser  with her commander, Lt. James I. Waddell, most of her crew as well as her armaments. After the transfer was complete, the Laurel departed for Tenerife and Nassau. After receiving updated orders at Nassau, Lt. Ramsey ran the blockade into Charleston arriving on 2 December.

Lt. Ramsey then reported to the Secretary of the Navy Mallory that he felt that the Laurel was inadequate for the intended Naval service. Transferred to Treasury Department her register was changed and she was consigned to Fraser, Trenholm & Co.  and renamed Confederate States.