AMER AUGUST 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, August 24, 2015.
RARE GROUP OF FIVE CUSTER FAMILY AUTOGRAPHED LETTERS INCLUDING BROTHERS GEORGE, TOM AND NEVIN ALL WITH FINE CONTENT.Letters from George Custer's brothers Tom and Nevin are very rare. Also included are letters of sisters Margaret and Anne Custer. 1) George A. Custer: fine content A.L.S. "G. A. Custer US Army" with initialed postscript, 2pp. 4to., "Ft Lincoln Dakota (Territory)", Feb. 27, 1875, to powerful New York Sen. Roscoe Conkling, entirely on the subject of securing a promotion for one of his officers, A. E. Smith, who would be killed while commanding Co. E at Little Big Horn. Custer writes, in part: "...I would be glad if you would present the claims of Lieut. Smith, as set forth in accompanying documents, to the appointing powers, and use your well known influence to secure for him the appointments of Captain...Lt. Smith is a constituent of yours, having entered the volunteers service from Utica...Since the war he has served with marked credit and ability in the regular army, most of the time under my command. You will see from Genl. Terry's endorsement that Lt. Smith's service during the rebellion was in the highest degree commendable. His character for integrity, morality and for all that would fit him, to discharge the duties of the position for which he has been recommended is not inferior to that of any other officer of my acquaintance...". 2) Thomas Custer: Tom was the only Civil War soldier to twice be awarded the Medal of Honor and by war's end was serving on his brother's staff. At the end of the war, Custer joined his brother George in the 7th Cavalry and ultimately fought at Little Big Horn, where Capt. Thomas Custer commanded Co. C and was likely one of the very last men of the command to meet his end at the hands of the Indian defenders. Outstanding and very rare A.L.S. "Tom", 1p 4to., Washington, Oct. 22, 1866 to his brother Gen. George Armstrong Custer in which Tom gleefully announces that an Army board had approved his joining his brother's command of the 7th Cavalry at Ft Riley, Kansas, a move that ten years later would see the three Custer brothers killed at the Little Big Horn. In part: "...I was before the Board today and passed examination. I will leave tomorrow evening if possible. I expect to arrive at Ft Riley about two weeks from tomorrow...". 3) Nevin Custer: A sickly child, Nevin never served in the military but instead remained in Monroe tending the family farm. He would be the last surviving male in his family. Rare A.L.S. "Nev", 6pp. 8vo., Tontagang, Mar. 2, 1870 in pencil to his brother Gen. George A. Custer, then serving at Ft Leavenworth, Kansas. In part "...Tom told you about me selling my place. I get the first payment tomorrow...I have been looking for a letter from you for some time to see what you think is best for me to do...If I went to Kansas to come out and look or move right along, what town do you think you would buy near...plenty timber and most all bottom land...there is a great many talks of going to Kansas...I think I can raise about one thousand dollars to take with me...you spoke...about us dropping in on you without telling you about it. You need not be uneasy...you would not get me to do that with so many little ones. If them soldiers would catch us coming in the fort, we would be arrested and put under guard..."With holograph transmittable envelope (stamp removed). 4) Margaret Custer: "Maggie", sister of Gen. George A. Custer and wife of First Lt. James A. Calhoun. After a two year courtship - carried on principally by correspondence - the pair married March 7, 1872. Calhoun would be killed four years later at the Little Big Horn. 5) Anne Custer: Sister of George A. Custer, wife of Capt. George Yates who was killed at the Little Big Horn. Pair of letters from each, 4pp. total, Monroe, MI, August 24-25, 1865 to their brother George, mostly relating news of family and friends, marriages, deaths, Maggie's poor health, etc."...I wish you would sell your horses...it costs a great deal to keep so many horses.." With holograph envelopes addressed to Custer in Houston. SIZE: CONDITION: Overall letters are very good to fine as can be seen in photos. Typical folds and light soiling and staining as typical with 19th century paper. 48441-18 JS (12,000-15,000)