Soldier in the US Army during the American Civil War and the Black Hills War (1845–1876). He was the brother-in-law of George Custer and was killed along with Custer in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Rare ink signature, “James Calhoun” as first lieutenant, on an off-white 6.75 x 2 irregularly clipped lightly-lined slip, removed from a larger General Orders document, penned while on the march from Fort Lincoln to the Little Big Horn. Notation in another hand under signature reads, “In the Bad Lands D. T. 1st Lieut. 7th Cavalry, May 31, 1876.” A central vertical fold through a single letter of signature, the closely trimmed top edge slightly affecting a couple strokes of signature, and light show-through from a printed vertical line on reverse, otherwise fine condition. On May 31, 1876, Custer’s command was about ten miles west of the Little Missouri, according to a letter he sent back to Fort Abraham Lincoln to his wife. Under his command at that time was his brother Tom, and his brother-in-law, Calhoun. Less than a month later, all would meet their demise at Little Big Horn. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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