Partly-printed DS, signed “G. A. Custer,” one page, 11 x 17, June 1, 1874. US Cavalry tobacco return issued at Fort Abraham Lincoln, headed, “Tobacco Return of Band, Seventh Regiment of U.S. Cavalry, for the month of June 1874.” The return lists the names of the “Saddler Sergeant,” “Chief Musician,” and “Privates,” denoting sixteen ounces of tobacco per person for a total of 256. Signed at the conclusion by Custer as lieutenant colonel of the 7th Regiment of Cavalry, and countersigned twice by Charles A. Varnum as second lieutenant of the 7th Cavalry. Varnum signs on behalf of James Calhoun, Custer’s brother-in-law who would also be killed at Little Bighorn, and he confirms receipt of the tobacco rations from Algernon Emory Smith, who too would die in the fight. In very good to fine condition, with light staining along one of the vertical folds, and central horizontal separation archivally repaired on the reverse. Accompanied by three relics attributed to the Little Bighorn battlefield, including a copper badge imprinted “USA,” measuring 2″ in diameter; a 3.25″ long hollow cylinder, apparently a pipe stem; and a .75″ diameter brass military eagle button with a “Horstmann, Philad,” backmark. Also includes a letter by Custer battlefield park superintendent Edward S. Luce, and several modern photos of the graves of the soldiers mentioned in the document.
Two years later, on May 17, 1876, Custer and his men set out from Fort Abraham Lincoln in their expedition against the Sioux. By that time the other signer of the document, Charles Varnum, was serving as the commander of the 7th Cavalry’s scouts. As Custer’s men approached the Little Bighorn River area, the scouts warned him of the massive Native American encampment ahead. Ignoring their admonitions, Custer moved forward and engaged the combined forces of the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes in the iconic battle that has become known as ‘Custer’s Last Stand.’ Although Custer and 276 of his men were slaughtered in the fight, the sixteen members of the 7th Cavalry’s band—many of whom are listed here—survived because he had ordered bandleader Felix Vinatieri not to engage in battle, but to remain on the supply steamboat. The band members then became de facto medics as wounded soldiers withdrew from the Little Bighorn battlefield. An utterly fascinating document paired with a fine grouping of Little Bighorn–associated relics. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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