22 December 1868

Custer, George Armstrong, 1839-1876

Manuscript document

Title: [Report on the Battle of Washita]

Written in the hand of Custer's Sergeant Pierre A. Bunker of the 7th Cavalry, prepared for Custer's signature. Custer reports at length and in graphic detail on his military activities and observations at the Battle of Washita against Chief Black Kettle's village of Southern Cheyenne. The battle also involved the Arapahoe, Kiowa, and Apache. Provides "extracts...from Dr Sippincott's report" listing deaths and injuries sustained by the soldiers. Explores the possible consequences of the battle and the effort to cripple Indian resistance. Estimates the "entire loss of the Indians in killed…

GLC04606

9 April 1865

Custer, George Armstrong, 1839-1876

Broadside

Title: [Announcement of the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox]

Published version of Custer's letter to the soldiers of the Third Cavalry Division thanking them for their outstanding service and praising them for their courage and accomplishments at war. Issued at Appomattox Court House. Custer signed as Brevet Major General Commanding.

GLC05071

circa 1861-1865

Custer, George Armstrong, 1839-1876

Photograph

Title: As brigadier general, standing with long hair and right hand on book

Graphite inscription on verso "Geo. A. Custer." Photographers imprint on verso: "Published by E. & H.T. Anthony 501 Broadway New York from Photograohic Negative in Brady's National Portrait Gallery."

GLC05111.02.0324

circa 1861-1865

Custer, George Armstrong, 1839-1876

Photograph

Title: Wearing uniform styled after a military dress uniform

Possibly misidentifed as Custer. Photographers imprint on recto "Mora 707 Broadway, N.Y." Graphite inscription on verso "Gen Custer."

GLC05111.02.0326

2 March 1865

Custer, George Armstrong, 1839-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown General

Brigadier General Custer reports on routing General Jubel Early from Waynesboro. His list of items captured includes three pieces of artillery, battle flags, a wagon train, ambulances, and over 400 prisoners. He is pursuing the enemy, with hopes of catching Early. Custer's loss was slight. Written in pencil, "One mile beyond Waynesboro Town."

GLC06033

February 13, 1869

Custer, George Armstrong, 1839-1876

Autograph letter

Title: to Libby Custer

Writes to his wife four days after their fifth wedding anniversary. Discusses the heavy rain, a humorous incident in which Colonel Thomas B. Weir formally requested an hour and a half of leave, his relationship with Weir, and his health, the possibility of giving his brother, Tom Custer, a recruiting detail. He also waxes poetic, expressing his love for Libby at length and writing, in part: "you are all I ask for, all I desire, all I long for." Also indicates that he did not want children. The last page is missing.

GLC06179

1869

Custer, George Armstrong, 1839-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to my dear friend

Writes a long letter to a friend, in which he sends a report made by General Philip Sheridan (not included) that was not meant for publication and discusses hardships and Indian fighting. Of the hardships encountered, he comments that "some people might tern them appalling, but I enjoyed it all. " Tells of near starvation because of a lack of buffalo and game, eating one of their starved horses, and the group's jolly demeanor. He mentions that he will send some Indian curiosities and elk antlers he found in the Wichita Mountains. He describes his plans to travel to Camp Supply and attack…

GLC00385

August 4, 1863

Custer, George Armstrong, 1839-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alfred Pleasanton

Custer writes to his commanding officer to report that he has complied with his orders to send 800-1000 men. He notes that this will leave him in command of two batteries of Horse Artillery without support. He explains that he would rather see those two batteries go along than leave his train open to Confederate General John S. Mosby's attack. Written in pencil from the Headquarters of the 3rd Cavalry Division.

GLC00614

September 18, 1862

Custer, George Armstrong, 1839-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Colonel Colburn

Penciled letter written during the Battle of Antietam on stationary marked "Head Quarters, Army of the Potomac." He states "We have just captured one three inch gun and its Caisson on the road from the Hagerstown Pike to Sharpstown. Col. Hunt had better send out for it. We cannot take it with us." Note written just after Custer, without orders, led a company of men against a weak point in the Confederate line, routed them, and took a number of their cannons. While this action would prove irrelevant to the larger battle, it helped to establish Custer's reputation for bold action, a trait he…

GLC00932

January 19, 1864

Custer, George Armstrong, 1839-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Senator J. M. Howard

Defends against accusations that he was "an opponent to the Lincoln admistration." States that he is against slavery, rumors of his disloyalty bear no truth, and are from "those who want to see me defeated ... I would, and do, favor a war of extermination. I would hang every human being who possesses a drop of rebel blood in their veins whether they be men, women, or children.

GLC09024

1874

Custer, George Armstrong, 1839-1876

Book signed

Title: My life on the plains, or personal experiences with Indians

Published by Sheldon and Company. Signed by General Custer 6 December 1875 in Newark, New Jersey. Describes his experiences during several military campaigns in which he fought against Native Americans.

GLC04007.01

1865 ca.

Custer, George Armstrong, 1839-1876

Photograph

Title: As major general, vignette bust portrait with long hair

Imprint on recto "Entered according to Act of Congress by M.B. Brady & Co. in the year 1865 in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Columbia." Graphite inscription on verso "1865" "Maj. Gen. Custer." Photographers imprint on verso: "Brady's National Photographic Portrait Galleries, No 352 Pennsylvania Av. Washington D.C., & Broadway & Tenth St. New York."

GLC05111.02.0325

1862/04

Custer, George Armstrong, 1839-1876

Photograph

Title: As brigadier general, seated right profile with short hair

Ink inscription on verso "George A. Custer. Brigadier General Vols. & 1st Lieut. 5th U.S.A. Cav" "April 1862." Photographers imprint on verso: "Published by E. & H.T. Anthony, 501 Broadway New York from Photographic Negative in Brady's National Portrait Gallery."

GLC05111.02.0323