LOT #47097 |
Starting Bid: $1,500
George A. Custer Partial Autograph Letters (2).... (Total: 2 Items)
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Description
George A. Custer Partial Autograph Letters (2). Two partial letters, each four pages of a bifolium on Fifth Avenue Hotel stationery, 5 x 8 inches, New York City; [circa February-March] 1871. Writing to his wife, Elizabeth "Libbie" Custer, Custer dwells on his loneliness in New York, his hopes for their upcoming move, and the prospect of a "new and important command." In the second letter he tries to reassure Libbie about teasing, flirtatious remarks made in society circles, while also reporting news about a substantial stock subscription from "Vanderbilts son in law."The first letter, dated Saturday the 18th, finds Custer idle in the city and longing for Libbie's company. He comments on press reports that he has been given a "new and important command," likely referring to his assignment at Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where the 7th Cavalry was ordered to help suppress Ku Klux Klan activity, confront hostile "carpetbag" interests, and break up illicit distilleries. In part:
"To day is a rainy one. I wish I could spend it with you. I have no business to occupy me particularly to day and I am so lonely here without you. There is no one in the city whom I am particularly anxious to see, nothing to call me away and I do want my little darl. so oh so much. I hope the servants will be able to do all that you desire done and that my little one will not have to fatigue herself getting ready for the move...The fashionable paper 'Our Society' states this morning that Gen Custer will soon start west having been assigned to a new and important command...
He goes on to describe a meeting with General Absalom Baird: "I met Gen Baird last evening at the 5th Ave Hotel...He is much depressed by his sons misfortune and truly he has been treated very unjustly, we will possibly see them in the south as Genl Baird is Inspector on Gen Hallecks staff at Louisville...I think the 7 will long for the Dept of the Mo before they have enjoyed much of civilization. Actually I would rather do duty on the plains with Colored troops than go south on a political errand as this is...As for you and I. I will know that we personally will have a good time wherever we are, thankful am I that we do not depend either upon station or [letter ends]."
The second letter, dated Wednesday the 22nd, is even more intimate in tone. Custer discusses comments involving a "Mrs. Huff," Colonel Myles Keogh, and a line from Thomas Moore's poem "'Tis Sweet to Think" (a poem about the inevitability of infidelity) insisting that the exchange was only playful teasing and reaffirming his devotion to her. In part:
"Darling mine...Your second letter...has just been rec'd, also one from Keogh...sending his regards to Mrs. Lewen and his love to Mrs. Huff. I dislike taking time referring to his senseless remarks but I must refer to his allusions to Mrs. Huffs quotation regardless...It was in teasing Col Keogh that Mrs. Huff said 'I believe in the sentiment of [Thomas Moore's] lines 'When far from the lips'...Keogh said oh that is villainous, I enjoyed his discomfort and like I often do said what I do not mean, but in this case I only said 'That's right Mrs. Huff, it is a good principle.' Mrs. Huff replied 'We believe in it Genl don't we' to which I simply assented; more to side with Mrs. Huff than anything else. Keogh...exhibited his annoyance so plainly that Mrs. H & I shouted with laughter. But let this matter drop. Keogh knows that you love me and that I love none but you..."
Later in the same letter he notes a promising development in his stock ventures: "On the other page you will see a mark like this [cross symbol] just as I had furnished the word preceding it an envelope was handed me to my address, also the words in one corner with Mr. Belmonts compliments. The note was to inform me that Mr. Banker (Vanderbilts son in law) had decided to take ten thousand dollars worth of stock of me. This was a most unexpected good fortune as I did not hope to hear from him [letter ends]."
Condition: Each letter lightly toned with smoothed folds. Contemporary pencil annotations to the letter dated the 22nd. A few minor separations at the folds, not affecting text. Very light scattered stain and a few small ink blots.
Provenance: Presented by Elizabeth Bacon Custer to May Custer Elmer; thence by descent and inheritance to our consignor.
Auction Info
2026 February 26 Historical Manuscripts & Texana Signature® Auction #6328 (go to Auction Home page)
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February
26th
Thursday
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February
26th
Thursday
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