U.S. SHIP 3 cts. oval handstamp on cover to Taunton, Mass with manuscript "J.E. Vail's Letters"

This letter was mailed from a vessel on blockade duty. The letter was a Federal letter and therefore under the regulations could travel without prepayment of postage and without the private ship letter fee (2¢) being due from the recipient. It is not possible, since the cover is undated as to month and day of arrival in the northern port, to tell where this letter originated.