Absalom Markland
For decades, Postal Inspection Service historians believed David B. Parker was responsible for the transportation and distribution of military mail during the Civil War. Recently, historian Candice Hooper discovered the prominence of a different Special Agent of the Post Office Department – Absalom Markland.
Early Life
Absalom Markland was born in Kentucky in 1825. When Markland was eleven years old, he was enrolled in the Maysville Academy in the Ohio Valley, where he made several friends. One influential friend who would help launch his successful career was Ulysses S. Grant.
After Maysville Academy, Markland attended Augusta College, which was known to attract teachers and students who vigorously opposed slavery. After completing his studies, Markland spent time as a teacher, freight clerk, and lawyer. In 1861, Postmaster General Montgomery Blair appointed Markland a Special Agent of the Post Office Department to investigate fraud, theft, and misconduct.
Special Agent of the Post Office
During the Civil War, mail service played an important role in boosting the morale of soldiers and bringing vital messages to the frontlines. It wasn't long before Markland's responsibilities expanded to include establishing mail service for mobile Union troops. This had to be done without giving away troop movements and their locations to the enemy.
Markland became to vital asset to General Grant's troops, regularly attending meetings with President Abraham Lincoln and carrying intelligence to Union generals. Markland's bravery and brilliance in establishing mail service during the war earned him the honorary title of "Colonel." No other Special Agent of the Post Office Department achieved Markland's breadth of civil and military authority during the war.
Legacy of Absalom Markland
After the war ended, Markland was promoted to Assistant Postmaster General, during a time when the Ku Klux Klan waged its reign of terror and intimidation on African Americans. Markland believed that hiring former slaves in the post office would help support them in their new freedom; however, violence on Black postal workers became a problem.
Following an attack on William Gibson, a Black poster worker and personal friend, Markland demanded more protections. His efforts helped support the enactment of the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, which was signed into law by President Ulysses S, Grant on April 20, 1871, At the end of his life, Markland remained active as an author, political insider, and member of veteran organizations.
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