Description:

Custer George

 

Envelope Addressed by Major General Custer to His Father-In-Law in Michigan, Sent From New Orleans Aboard the Steamer Allegheny

 

Envelope, 8” x 4”, bearing a pair of 3¢ George Washington postage stamps, postmarked New Orleans, LA, July 12, 1865. Addressed by Custer to his father-in-law, Judge Daniel S. Bacon: “Hon D S Bacon / Care of Hannah, Luy & Co / Chicago Ill / Traverse City / Mich.” Not signed by Custer. At top edge, Custer wrote “Steamer Allegany.” “Letter from Alexandria” penciled vertically, probably by Bacon, at left edge. Torn open at right edge. Minor flaws at edges. Fine condition.

 

Elizabeth B. Custer begins Chapter One of Boots and Saddles (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1885) telling of her first meeting her future husband: “General Custer graduated at West Point just in time to take part in the battle of Bull Run. He served with his regiment - the 5th Cavalry - for a time, but eventually was appointed aide-de-camp to General McClellan. He came to his sister's home in my native town, Monroe, Michigan, during the winter of 1863, and there I first met him. In the spring he returned to the army in Virginia, and was promoted that summer, at the age of twenty-three, from captain to brigadier general. During the following autumn he came to Monroe to recover from a flesh-wound, which, though not serious, disabled him somewhat. At that time we became engaged. When his twenty days' leave of absence had expired he went back to duty, and did not return until a few days before our marriage, in February, 1864.”

 

Elizabeth Bacon Custer’s father, Daniel S. Bacon (1798-1866), a member of the Michigan Territorial Council (1832-1835), was Judge of Probate for Monroe County. He was president of the Bank of Monroe and a director of the Michigan Southern Railroad Company.

 

Commissioned Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, April 15, 1865, Custer was in New Orleans, in command of the Cavalry Division in the Military Division of the Gulf, from July to November 1865. When he arrived in New Orleans, he was immediately sent up the river to Alexandria, Louisiana, to take charge of a division of cavalry, gathered from the Western States. It was from Alexandria, as noted in pencil on this envelope, that Custer wrote to his father-in-law.

 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

 

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