Civil War-dated ADS in pencil, signed “G. A. Custer, Brig. Genl., Commdg. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Div. Cavalry Corps,” one page, 7.5 x 5.25, July 10, 1863. Scarce, early handwritten document from Boonsboro, Maryland, just days after the Battle of Gettysburg. In full: "Rec'd from William Miller (2) two tons of hay for the war of the United States." Penned on the reverse of a fragment of a document from the 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps. In very good to fine condition, with overall creasing, and a stain and hole to the upper left corner. A rare autograph penned on the battlefield by one of the heroic commanders of the Civil War. Encapsulated in a PSA/DNA authentication holder.
Appointed Brigadier General on June 29, 1863, for his gallant conduct at Aldie, Custer went on to serve with distinction through the Gettysburg and Virginia campaigns. From July 9 to 11, he was engaged in fighting in and around Falling Water, Maryland, with important and heavy skirmishing taking place on the date of this document. Kirkpatrick had ordered advanced troops to move toward Falling Water, but only Custer obeyed the order. As a result, some 1,200 rebel soldiers were captured.
