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Auction: 314 - Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 1078

Custer, George Armstrong Choice trio of war-date Autograph Envelopes, all 1864, and all addressed to Elizabeth Bacon, first as his sweetheart and later as his wife. The first, from Washington, DC, January 9, 1864, is to "Miss Lizzie Bacon / Monroe / Mich," written one month to the day before the couple was married. The second, from Washington, May 1, 1864, shortly before Custer took part in the Overland Campaign, now addresses Libby as "Mrs Genl Custer" on Pennsylvania Avenue in the same city. The third, on an envelope imprinted "Headquarters Third Division, Cavalry Corps. / Official Business," is from Martinsburg, WV, on October 14 - just days before Custer led his cavalry under Gen Philip Sheridan at the Battle of Cedar Creek! - to "Mrs Genl Custer" on Penn Avenue. This latter pair is thus signed in effect by General Custer while preparing for some of the most challenging days of his Civil War service. All are in VG condition. George Armstrong Custer fell in love with Libbie Bacon when they first met in late 1862, and began to woo her immediately. However, her father did not approve of the brash young cavalry officer and forbade the pair to see each other. Custer´s success on the battlefield finally won Mr. Bacon´s approval, and George and Libby were married on February 9, 1864. Pretty and highly intelligent, Elizabeth Custer proved to be a devoted wife. After her husband´s death at Little Bighorn, she told his story in a series of books and lectures that established him as a legendary figure in the winning of the West. [3]

Sold for
$4,000