Description:

George A. Custer
n.p., December 29, 1862
George Custer War Dated 1862 ALS Thanks Libbie For Helping "poor destitute soldier" He'd Fall In Love and Marry Her! With JSA LOA.
ANS
A fine and rare war-date autograph note "G. Custer", December 29, 1862, one page, 3.5 x 6.25 in. Custer writes a very early note to Elizabeth "Libbie" Bacon in pencil on a "Headquarters, Army of the Potomac" partly-printed receipt while on the staff of George McClellan. Folds and light wear, otherwise very good to fine.

In full: "Miss Bacon, I have the honor to acknowledge the rect. of your package containing many of the comforts and necessaries of life. Let me assure you the poor destitute soldier is ever thankful for such favors. Respectfully yours, G. Custer." He adds in a postscript: "I did not think you was [sic] capable of deception."

The year 1862 would prove pivotal in Custer's career and personal life. Late in May 1862, Custer guided a raiding party along the Chickahominy River behind enemy lines. According to the official report "he was the first to cross the stream, the first to open fire, and one of the last to leave the field." His fearlessness caught the attention of George B. McClellan, who asked Custer to join his staff. Custer would fight with McClellan during the battles of Fair Oaks and Gaines Mill and at the young age of 22, he became known for leading charges and rallying troops, as well as retrieving valuable intelligence, in the Peninsula, Antietam, and Chancellorsville campaigns.

Just a month before he penned this note, Custer met his future wife Elizabeth "Libbie" Bacon at a Thanksgiving party and fell head over heels in love with her. In fact, Custer allegedly had already proposed to Libbie by the time of this note. Over the subsequent months, the two corresponded frequently. Libbie's father, Judge Daniel Bacon, strenuously objected to the relationship, even when Custer was promoted to Brigadier General in June, 1863, becoming the youngest general in the Union ranks. It would take more than a year for Custer to obtain permission for him to marry Libbie. They did so on February 9, 1864 and were forthwith inseparable.

In September 1862, McClellan defeated Lee in the Battle of Sharpsburg which one of the bloodiest of the Civil War. While the Union claimed victory, the outcome was considered less than decisive because McClellan permitted Lee to escape to Virginia. At this point Abraham Lincoln, fed up with McClellan's inactivity all year including his missing the opportunity to save Harper's Ferry in September, replaced him with Ambrose Burnside on November 7, 1862.

George A. Custer (1839-1876) was U.S. Army Cavalry commander. Custer's early military career was nothing less than meteoric. He secured no fewer than 12 long-term and brevet promotions between 1861-1865, including the rank of Brigadier General in 1863 and the rank of Major General in 1865. He became one of the Union Army's youngest generals at age 23. Custer participated in nearly all of the major engagements of the Civil War, including the Battles of Bull Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, and Yellow Tavern (during which Custer's peer, the Confederate cavalry commander J.E.B. Stuart, was mortally wounded), along with the Sieges of Yorktown and Petersburg.

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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  • Provenance: JSA LOA.
  • Dimensions: 3.5" x 6.25"
  • Medium: ANS

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