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Auction: 336 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 1865

Custer, George Armstrong. Indian Campaign period. Autographed Envelope.About 5" by 3". ca. 1868-1869. The address written brown ink by George Armstrong Custer to "Mrs. Genl Custer / Fort Riley. / Ks." At the top, in brown ink is "Ft Hays May 11." In the bottom left corner, Custer writes "May11th." on active duty as a Major in the 7th U.S. Cavalry from 1866 to 1868. The envelope was opened at the top, the flap is torn, and there is a tear in the left side. The handwritten address (and thus the autograph) is bold and attractive.
In July of 1866 Custer was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the Seventh U. S. Cavalry, a new regiment then forming at Fort Riley. Libbie probably arrived at Fort Riley to set up house for the General in October of 1866. Fort Riley records indicate that Custer did not report for duty until November 1. While his official rank at the time was Lieutenant Colonel, it was customary to continue to address him by his brevet rank, which explains why he addressed this letter "Mrs. General Custer."
Fort Hays was a key Army installation in the Indian Wars, serving as a base of operations for combat forces and a supply point for Fort Dodge and Camp Supply. Custer and the 7th Cavalry Regiment, used it as his headquarters during his 1868-1869 campaign against the Cheyenne and the Kiowa.

Sold for
$425