3c rose tied by target cancel on cover with "U.S. SHIP" straightline marking and Sep 1

The marking "U.S. SHIP" was applied to mail which originated from sailors and soldiers aboard ships on blockade duty and soldiers along the Atlantic Coast. The Bermuda was part of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron which patrolled the Atlantic coast from the
North Carolina/South Carolina line to Cape Florida. The Bermuda arrived in Philadelphia on September 17, 1864 from Wilmington, NC.

The marking was applied to sailors' and soldiers' mail brought into the port of Philadelphia. The letter was charged the normal 3¢ postage, but not the 2¢ ship fee because such mail was considered federal mail and, therefore, not liable for such charge.