George Custer ALS, 31 March 1875...

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George Custer ALS, 31 March 1875 Autograph letter signed ("G.A. Custer" and "G.A.C.") in dark pencil, 1 page, 7.75 x 9.75 in. Fort Lincoln, Dakota Territory, 31 March (ca. 1875), written to Major [John] Carland. Two mounting remnants on top edge verso with no show through; minor pinholes at folds. General George A. Custer writes from Fort Lincoln, Dakota Territory, to his friend Major John Carland, who found his body after the Battle of the Little Bighorn: "I have seized several government missiles ..." Custer writes in part: Fort Lincoln DT March 31. Major Carland. As his employer will be arrested on similar charge look closely to Hannons bondsmen. I have seized several government missiles concealed near Apple Creek by Bmrk [Bismarck]. Cause his arrest also on this charge and scrutinized his bondsmen closely - If he could be placed here for safe keeping by the Marshall I think information of value could be obtained...G.A. Custer BMGenl. Although the year is not given in the letter, the incident probably occurred during the spring of 1875, about the same time that grain stores began disappearing steadily from Fort Lincoln. With justice still being dispensed pell-mell in the chaotic frontier town of Bismarck, and under orders not to make arrests outside the military reservation, Custer was hampered in his efforts to stop the robberies. Assisted by his friend Major John Carland, an officer with the 6th Infantry who had formerly worked as a lawyer, Custer was determined to root out every thieving culprit. During the planning of the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Custer told Major Carland that he did not want the support of the 2nd Cavalry and Gatling guns because "I want all the glory for the 7th." Shortly after the 25-26 June 1876, battle, a column of troops under Gen. Alfred H. Terry's command arrived. Carland was in Terry's column. It was Carland and Terry who discovered Custer's body on the battlefield. Provenance: Sotheby's, New York, 1 November 1993, lot 43.