Description:

George Custer
Camp Sturgis, SD, April 26, 1873
George A. Custer Signed Unique 7th Calvary Orders For Horses and Formations
DS

A document entitled "Circular No. 24" and addressed to the officers of George A. Custer's 7th Calvary, providing new orders on proper formation tactics. 1p, measuring 8" x 12.5", Headquarters Detachment 7th Cavalry, Camp Sturgis, dated April 26, 1873. Boldly signed at lower right as "G.A. Custer, Lt. Col. 7th Cav." The document bears expected creasing and flattened letter folds, with isolated soiling present along the lower middle crease; four hole punches along left side edge; light docketing and stamping verso. Very good overall with signature measuring 3" long! Accompanied by an engraved portrait of Custer, created from a photograph by Mathew Brady. A rare memento of the reorganization of the 7th Cavalry, offering insight into Custer's mindset as Commander.

This is an extremely rare signed item of the 7th Cavalry, the first as they entered the Department which its name, and Custer's, will always be inextricably linked. Not only have we never seen another order to the 7th Cavalry signed by Custer, but an additional search of public sale records going back 40 years yield no results!

In full:

"The attention of line officers ^is called to the printed instructions found on page 12, U.S. Cavalry Tactics, 1841, immediately following the words ‘Compliments by Cavalry under review', for information as to posts of troop officers & when the battalion formation is observed. When a troop forms singly the posts of officers will be in accordance with the rules laid down on page 4 of same volume.
At the command of 'Prepare to dismount' given by the battalion commander, the Chief of squadrons, or if the formation is by troop, the Captains of troops and the Chiefs of platoons, will come forward paces, turn their horses to the right about and superintend the execution of the order by their respective commands. In the execution of the commands ‘Prepare to mount', and ‘Mount', similar rules will govern; officers will resume their proper front in each case immediately after the execution of the command ‘Form ranks'. The same rule will govern in the squadron and troop acting singly."

The famed 7th U.S. Cavalry was formed in 1866, with its first lieutenant colonel being the picturesque cavalryman George A. Custer (1839-1876), who had been one of General Philip Sheridan's most trusted division commanders during the Civil War. In the spring of 1873, ten companies of the 7th Cavalry under Custer's command headed by steamboat up to Cairo, Illinois, and then took the trains to their first stop in their new Department, Yankton, Dakota Territory [now South Dakota], arriving on April 9th. Custer in turn selected a campsite for the unit just east of the Rhine Creek along the railroad tracks, and a tent city known as Camp Sturgis sprang up on the flatland beyond the town.

On April 13th, the mild springtime weather suddenly changed, and for two days intermittent sleet and snow made camp life miserable. On the 15th a spitting rain turned to powdery, windblown snow, and as the blinding blizzard mounted, the precisely organized military cantonment became a frenzied arena of confusion. As tents were blown down, Custer gave the order for the men to take individual initiative- to try to lead their horses to shelter in Yankton's warehouses, stables and livery barns. When the storm abated Custer looked around and determined he needed to reorganize his regiment. He would do so utilizing the U.S. Cavalry's rule book.

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Medium: DS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

October 8, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000