July 2014 Auction Ends Thursday, July 31st, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/31/2014
General George Custer 7th Cavalry document signed, dated 1 June 1874. Here, Custer approves deductions from the pay of 16 of his Band Company, 7th Regiment of U.S. Cavalry men, for the cost of a pound of tobacco each for the month of June 1874. Partially-printed document reads in full: ''Received, Fort Abraham Lincoln D.T., this 1st day of June, 1874, of Lieutenant A.E. Smith, 7th Regiment of U.S. Cavalry, A.A.C.S., Sixteen pounds and --- ounces of tobacco, in full of the above return; said tobacco to be issued by me to the above-named men, and to be charged against them, respectfully, on the muster and pay rolls of the Company for the months of May and June, 1874.'' Large ''G A Custer'' signature measures 3.5''. Additionally signed, ''Chas A Varnum, 2nd Lt. 7th Reg't of U.S. Cavalry for 1st Lieut. James Calhoun 7th Cavy, Commanding Band''. Notation to verso reads, ''Tobacco Return / In the month of June, 1874. / A.E. Smith / Lieut. 7 Reg't of Cav, A.A.C.S. / I certify that on this Tobacco Return I have issued / to Lt. James Calhoun / for N.C.S. of Reg't of Cav. / Sixteen / pounds --- ounces / of tobacco, / at Forty six cents per pound. / A.E. Smith / Lieut. 7 Reg't of Cav, A.A.C.S.'' Varnum, in command of the Crow and Arikara scouts suffered a leg wound during the Battle of Little Bighorn. 1pp. Measures 11'' x 17''. Some dampstaining and archival reinforcement to verso, else very good. Lot includes a trio of artifacts from the Battle of Little Bighorn: (1) a copper ''USA'' imprinted badge measuring 2'' in diameter; (2) a 3.25'' long hollow cylinder which appears to be from a pipe; (3) a 0.75'' diameter brass military eagle button with a ''Horstmann Philad'' backmark; presumably from the Harrisburg Collection, attributed by the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania as being from Custer's Last Stand. Accompanied by five 4.75'' x 3.75'' black and white photographs of the graves of Capt. Thomas W. Custer, Lieut. Algernon E. Smith, Lieut. James Calhoun, and Capt. George W. Yates, all killed at Little Bighorn, and buried at the 7th U.S. Cavalry plot. An incredibly varied collection.
General George Custer 7th Cavalry Document Signed & Little Bighorn Lot -- Items Pertaining to Custer, Lieut. Algernon E. Smith & Lieut. James Calhoun -- All Killed at Little Bighorn
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