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

Lot Number: 47100

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/6328*47100

[Battle of the Little Bighorn]. Edward W. Smith Autograph Orders Signed. One page in pencil, 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 inches, "Headquarters Department of Dakota. In the field camp at mouth of Tongue River"; June 20, 1876. In this order, "Special Field Orders, No. 15," issued just five days before the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Captain Edward Worthington Smith writes on behalf of Brigadier General Alfred Howe Terry to Lieutenant Colonel Custer, directing him to move with a portion of the 7th Cavalry and join Major Marcus Reno at his forward camp on the Rosebud. In full:

"Lieut Col. Custer Commanding 7th Cavalry will proceed without unnecessary delay with the headquarters and six companies of his regiment, the Indian Scouts and the Gattling battery now at this camp, to the point occupied by the camp of Major Reno's command where he will assume command of the force there assembled and tomorrow proceed with it to the mouth of Rosebud River where he will await further orders. By command of Brig Genl A. H. Terry." Signed, "Edward Smith / Capt 18th Infantry / AAAG." Docketed in pencil on the verso, "Indians / Genl Terrys order / 1876."

On June 14, Reno and his scouts had discovered a large Indian trail along Rosebud Creek between the Tongue and Bighorn Rivers. When Reno's report reached Terry, the general adopted a plan to converge on the Native village from two directions. He instructed Custer, through this order, to march from the Tongue to Reno's camp and then move to the mouth of the Rosebud, while Terry and Colonel John Gibbon advanced toward the mouth of the Bighorn. Custer did as directed, joining Reno and waiting until June 22, when Terry issued the formal marching orders that sent the 7th Cavalry up the Rosebud toward the Little Bighorn, unaware of the size of the Native force they would encounter.

Custer's decisions in the following days, particularly his choice to press ahead rapidly and divide his regiment, have often been cited as key factors in the disaster that followed. Notably, the Gatling battery mentioned in this order was left behind, as Custer believed the guns would slow his advance. This document is an important record of the chain of orders that led directly to Custer's Last Stand. Only a typescript copy is held by the Welch-Dakota Papers.

Condition: Lightly toned with smoothed folds. A few small separations at the edges of the folds, one touching text but not affecting legibility. Light, scattered soiling throughout. Two light paperclip impressions on the verso.

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

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