Auction Name: 2026 February 26 Historical Manuscripts & Texana Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 47099

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/6328*47099

George A. Custer Autograph Letter Signed. Five pages on one bifolium and one sheet, 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 inches, St. Paul, Minnesota; February 19, 1876. Marked "Copy" in pencil at upper left. Written to Edward Townsend, Adjutant General of the U.S. Army, as Custer prepared the 7th Cavalry for what would become the Black Hills Expedition and, ultimately, the Battle of the Little Bighorn. In this detailed personnel request, Custer recommends a series of transfers and promotions within the regiment to strengthen its command structure before entering the field. Several of the officers mentioned here served at Little Bighorn, and two (First Lieutenant James Calhoun and Second Lieutenant William Van Wyck Reily) were killed alongside Custer. The letter reads, in part:

"In view of the fact that the companies of the 7th Cavalry serving in this Dept. are expected to take the field at an early date and in all probability will be called upon to engage in highly important services, I have the honor to submit the following recommendations...

The recent resignations of Theston of his regimental commission, promotes to the grade of 1st Lieut: 2nd Lt Charles Braden...This officer is now absent sick at East Saginaw Mich. suffering from the effects of a gunshot wound received in Aug 73...I recommend that 1st Lieut Braden be transferred from Co L to Co C, and that 1st Lieut James Calhoun be transferred from Co C to Co L.

By the promotion of 1st Lieut McDougall to be Captain since Thompson retired, 2nd Lieut De Rudio is promoted to 1st Lieut which carries him to E company. Lieut De Rudio is not an officer whose abilities experience or character qualify him in my judgement to be placed in permanent command of a company...I therefore recommend that Lieut De Rudio be transferred from Co E to Co H...and that 1st Lieut Frank M Gibson be transferred from Co H to Co E. As the 1st and 2nd Lieutenants of Co F are both absent and likely to remain absent indefinitely, the former 1st Lieut Henry Jackson on duty in the Signal Bureau the latter 2nd Lt Larned on duty at West Point, I recommend that 2nd Lieut Wm Van W Reily be transferred from Co [E] to Co F and 2n Lieut Charles W Larned from Co F to Co [E]." Signed, "G. A. Custer / Lt Col 7th Cav & Br Major General USV / Comdg Regt."

Custer understood by early 1876 that conflict with the Sioux was likely. President Grant had ordered all Lakota to return to agency (reservation) lands by January 31, a deadline expected to provoke resistance. Custer, along with Colonel John Gibbon and General George Crook, was ordered into the field that Spring. Ever conscious of his reputation, Custer viewed the campaign as an opportunity to earn further accolades. The letter offered here shows the lengths the Colonel took in order to ensure that the 7th Cavalry went into the field with officers he deemed capable and reliable.

The outcomes for the men Custer names varied sharply on June 25, 1876. Braden, Jackson, and Larned were absent from the field. Thomas McDougall was assigned command of the pack train, while De Rudio and Gibson fought in the hilltop fight and survived. Calhoun and Reily, both in Custer's column, were killed with their companies on Last Stand Hill.

Condition: Lightly toned with smoothed folds. A few separations at the integral fold, not affecting text. Final page with rough left edge where page was removed.

Provenance: Presented by Elizabeth Bacon Custer to May Custer Elmer; thence by descent and inheritance to our consignor.

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