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Important Buffalo Bill/Yellow Hand (Yellow Hair) Letter

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:6,000.00 USD Estimated At:14,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
Important Buffalo Bill/Yellow Hand (Yellow Hair) Letter
Handwritten one page letter documenting one of the most important and notable battles of the Indian Wars. Written in response to Myra A. Streeter of Milton, Mass (June 15, 1907) Cody writes “Dear Sir, Yellowhand a Cheyenne Chief was killed July 17th 1876. And by my self in the battle of War bonnet creek troops 5th U.S. Cavalry commanded by General Wesley Merritt / Yellow Hand at the time of his death was carrying no saddle bag this known to be a fact as I was there W.F. Cody” Buffalo Bill’s Duel with Yellow Hand was one of the legendary episodes in Cody’s career. In 1876 Buffalo Bill was serving as a scout for the Fifth Cavalry at the time of the death of Custer at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. In July of that year the Fifth encountered a party of Cheyenne. In his memoirs Cody tells of the leader of the party challenging him to a personal duel during which he killed the Indian in an exchange of rifle shots. Having finished off Yellow Hand, Cody “scientifically scalped him in about five seconds” and, waving the trophy over his head, called out to the approaching troopers, “The first scalp for Custer.” The letter is 4” x 6” along with an original 5 1/2” x 4 3/4” photograph of Cody in regal pose. Handsomely framed and matted to 11 1/2” x 14 1/4”. Paper has original fold marks remaining, all ink is clear and sharp.