Clear strike of "U.S. SHIP/3cts." in circle cancel on cover to New Haven, CT. The marking "U.S. Ship 3 CTS" was applied aboard ship to letters collected from other vessels and carried by the ship to a Federal post office for handling and distribution.

A notation on the back of this cover indicates that it was mailed from the gunboat USS Benton. This vessel took an active part in the Federal operations to open the Mississippi River and its tributaries.