The Yellow Garage dealer Jason Phillips Antiques is featuring a rare Civil War era paper camp pass for Camp Constitution in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Camp Constitution has been used to guard the entrance to Portsmouth Harbor for almost 400 years. The pass is dated May 1861, the start of the Civil War and a very busy time for Camp Constitution. With the beginning of the hostilities in April 1861, Camp Constitution was a lightly defended fort with a few guns and men which had been inactive since 1852. A corps of 25 men from a local militia was quickly dispatched to reactivate the camp. A 150 man contingent quickly followed. The Camp Constitution pass was likely used by these men. The printed paper pass measures 3 3\8” X 2 1\8”. It is in very good condition, as seen in the pictures, with the print remaining dark and bold. Paper ephemera of this age and use rarely survives. Civil War memorabilia collectors will cherish this rare Camp Constitution pass as a remarkable piece of history.
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