George A. Custer Autograph Letter Signed. Five pages on one bifolium and one sheet, 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 inches, St. Paul, M...
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Description
Custer makes recommendations to strengthen the command structure of the 7th Cavalry in advance of the Black Hills Expedition
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:
Auction Info
2026 February 26 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6328 (go to Auction Home page)
Bidding Begins Approx.
January
26th
Monday
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26th
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Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
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