January 22, 1864: New York Times

Transcript (excerpt):

Page 1, Upper Half

Clothing For Soldiers Can Be Sent By Mail

The following bill, having passed both Houses, now only awaits the President’s signature to become a law:

“Articles of clothing, being manufactured of wool, cotton or linen, and compressed in a package, not exceeding two pounds in weight, addressed to any non-commissioned officer or private serving in the armies of the United States, may be transmitted in the mails of the United States, at the rate of 8 cents to be in all cases prepaid, for every four ounces, or any fraction thereof, subject to such regulations as the Postmaster-General may prescribe.”

Citation: New York Times. 2 January 1864. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .N5682