LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 June Civil War Grand Format Auction #663  / 

72073

[George A. Custer] 1865 Farewell Order to Troops

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
[George A. Custer] 1865 Farewell Order to Troops
<B>General George Armstrong Custer's Manuscript "Fair Reading" Copy of His Farewell Order to His Troops in the Civil War,</B></I> 3.5 pages, 5" x 8", front and verso. Original spelling. Headed: <I>"Coppy of Order/Head Qrs 3d Cavalry Division/Appomattox Court House April 9-1865/Soldiers of the 3d Cavalry Division."</B></I> In part, <I>"With profound grattitud towards the god of battles by whose blessings our enemies have been humbled and our armis rendered triumphant Your commanding Genral avails himself of this his first opportunity to express to you his admiration of the heroic manner in which you have passed through the Series of battles which to day resulted in the surrender of the enemys entire army - the record established by your indomitabl courage is unparralelled in the annals of war. your prowess has won for you the respect and admiration of your enemies during the past six months althoug in most instances cnfronted by superior numbers <B>you have Captured from the enemy in open battle (111) one hundred and Eleven pieces of field artillery (65) Sixty five Battle flags and upward of (10,000) Ten thousand prisoners of war including (7) Seven Genral officers</B></I></B></I> <I>- within the past ten days and included within the above you have captured (46) forty Six pieces of field artillery and (37) Thirty seven battle flags - you have never lost a gun nor lost a color - and never have been defeated…let us hope that our work is done and that blessed with the comforts of peace we may soon be permitted to enjoy the pleasures of home and friends - for our comrades who has fallen let us cherish a greatfull remembrance - to the wounded and to those who languish in Suthron prisons let our heart felt sympathies be tendered. And now speaking for myself alone - when the war is ended and the task of the historian begins when those deeds of daring which has rendered the name and fame of the Third cavalry Division imperishable and incribed upon the bright pages of our countrys history. <B>I only ask that my name may be written as that of the commander of the 3d Cavalry Division.</B></I>"</B></I> An ironic last line from the General whose name is remembered in his country's history as being associated with the 7th, not the 3rd Cavalry, and with the Battle of the Little Bighorn, not the Civil War. Strengthened with tape between pages two and three. In fine condition.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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