AMER AUGUST 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, August 24, 2015.
FINE DOUBLE AUTOGRAPH ENDORSEMENT SIGNED G.A. CUSTER, BREVET MAJOR GENERAL USA, LT. COL. 7TH CAV, CAMP STURGIS, DAKOTA TERRITORY, APRIL 27, 1873 FROM DIRECT DESCENT OF LIBBIE CUSTER."Proceedings of a Board of Survey" convened at Camp Sturgis, D.T. by S.O. no 5, Hdqrs Det. 7th Cavalry dated April 19, 1873. On the interior of the page, Custer simply writes "Approved" and on the verso he has instructed to "Respectfully forward" the report. With additional "endorsement" by the assistant adjutant general, by command of Brigadier Gen. Alfred H. Terry, commander of the Dakota Territory, explaining that the report is "Respectfully returned to Lieut. Colonel GA Custer commanding Battalion 7th Cavalry Ft. Sully, D.T. with the information that in accordance with instructions from these headquarters...proceedings of Boards of Survey are required to be forwarded ...in triplicate". The AAG's rather harsh comments - he underlined the bolded portion in red - are clearly intended to remind Custer of his place in the chain of command. At the close of the Civil War, Custer's brevet rank of major general revered to his regular rank of captain in the United States Army. He was subsequently promoted to lieutenant colonel, but no longer had the right to refer to his brevet, which may have rankled Brigadier General Terry, whose regular rank would have been below Custer's claimed brevet (or temporary) rank. It may have further annoyed Terry that Custer's promotion to lieutenant colonel was widely considered a political reward for his support of President Andrew Johnson. SIZE: PROVENANCE: General George A and Elizabeth Custer, Margaret Flood (Libbie Custer's personal assistant), Spink Smythe, Lot 1082, August 22, 2012. CONDITION: File holes at top of page, soiling and light dampstaining, edge and fold wear including a few nicks at fold edges, overall very good. 48441-7 JS (7,000-9,000)