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Important (GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER) Historic Archive of Ten Items

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:16,000.00 USD Estimated At:18,000.00 - 24,000.00 USD
Important (GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER) Historic Archive of Ten Items
Autographs
Soldier Archive From George Armstrong Custer’s Third Cavalry Division Who Was Present At General Lee’s Surrender
(GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER). Civil War Era Archive of Highly Important George Armstrong Custer related, Containing TEN INDIVIDUAL ITEMS.
This important original Archive contains Ten Items that are both exceptional in rarity and value, all belonging to Private Robert McKinley, Co. I, 2nd West Virginia Cavalry. That unit which was a part of George Armstrong Custer’s Third Cavalry Division at the time of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. This historic Archive Includes:

1. Carte de Visite of George A. Custer (Katz-70), with a notation on the back: “Presented to Robert McKinley June 7th 1865 by Brevet Major General George A Custer Commanding 3rd Cavalry - as a fare well momento.” The CDV is worn and toned, with some scattered spotting and some creases at edges which don’t touch Custer’s image. The mount is stamped “John Brown - Wheeling, West Va.” with a period 2¢ U.S. Revenue stamp is on the verso. Very Good.

2. Handwritten, c. 1865 Contemporary Period Transcribed Document, by “L. W. Barnhart, Capt. & A. A. General,” documentation of General Custer’s Address to the 3rd Cavalry Division, on April 9, 1865, at the Appomattox Court House, 4 pages, measuring 8” x 5”, Fine. It is written upon contemporary paper with proper ink and style for the period. We can not prove this to be either a draft or copied statement but further research may help make that determination. It is a highly important, possibly firsthand account of Custer’s “Address” by officers who were present at that historic event. This remarkable Document reads, in part,

“... Your commanding general 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 enemy’s entire army. The record established by your indomitable courage, is unparalleled in the annals of war. Your prowess has won for you even the respect and admiration of your enemies. During the past six months, although in most instances confronted by superior numbers, you have captured from the enemy in open battle one hundred eleven pieces of field artillery, sixty-five battle flags, and upwards of ten thousand prisoners of war, including seven General officers... You have never lost a gun - never lost a color - and have never been defeated.” --- In closing: “And now, speaking for myself alone, when the war is ended, and the task of the historian begins -- when those deeds of daring which have rendered the name and fame of the Third Cavalry Division imperishable, are inscribed upon the bright pages of our country’s history, I only ask that my name may be written as that of the commander of the Third Cavalry Division.”

Partially Handwritten and written in an upside down manner at the top of page 3 is text reading, “Presented to Robert McKinlay Comy 2nd West Va Cavalry Third Cavalry Division.” The pages are toned and there is an archival repair to one fold; otherwise, boldly written. It should be mentioned that more common “Printed” Broadside versions of Custer’s Congratulatory Address sell for over $3,000 and none have been offered to our knowledge in recent times. The value of this original, period Handwritten Copy by a Union Officer who was very likely part of Custer’s own staff is certainly worth significantly more.

3. Robert McKinley’s Civil War Discharge Certificate, dated June 30, 1865, at Wheeling, W. Va. and Signed by his Commanding Officer, Capt. A. Smith, measuring 9.75” x 7.75”, Fine. The Certificate notes that McKinley was born in Scotland, that he joined in 1862 for three years and that he was a farmer by occupation. Toned and soiled, still legible.

4. Small size New Testament Bible, carried by a relative, with notations of war activities along the margins. Front cover is missing and back cover is detached, soiled.

5. Time Line of the War written by Robert McKinley on five pages of a notebook, measuring 6.75” x 4.75” with some pages loose. Also, notes on McKinley’s marriage, illnesses and injuries he suffered from serving in the Civil War.

6. Affidavit filed regarding Robert McKinley’s pension, by a doctor who was a member of the same Company as McKinley in 1864. He gives a notarized statement regarding heart trouble McKinley had during the Civil War.

7. Program for Union Veteran Legion Encampment No. 31, Newark, Ohio, giving the roster for 1912. McKinley is listed.

8. U. V. L. Ribbon pinned with a U. V. L. Button to a white Handkerchief, along with a green Harp-shaped Irish Pin and Ribbon.

9. Image of McKinley as an older man, measuring 4.5” x 3.75” unevenly cut with some age spots and mounting remnants on its verso.

10. After Supper Address given by Robert McKinley to members of the U. V. L., 5 pages, written in pencil, Fine. Light soiling and some fold splits. A highly patriotic address to his old comrades, naming the battles in which their members participated, in part:

“...and last of all Appomatox I had the Honer of being a member of the 3rd Cavalry Division under General George A Custer... was at Appomattox when General R. E. Lee thowed up the Sponge to U. S. Grant...”

This remarkable historic Civil War Archive is extraordinary. The Handwritten Transcript of General George Armstrong Custer’s “Address to the 3rd Cavalry Division, April 9, 1865, at the Appomattox Court House,” combined with the Carte de Visite and the ancillary provenance and related materials make this a very unique opportunity for Civil War and George Custer collectors. (10 items)


The 2nd West Virginia was recruited mainly in Ohio. It was organized by Colonel William M. Bolles and operated about Western Virginia until July 1864 when it moved to the Shenandoah Valley. It fought at Kearnstown, Chambersburg, Opequan, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek, Five Forks, Sailor’s Creek, Appomattox Station, and was at Appomattox during the surrender of the Confederate Army.

The Regiment led the Army of the Potomac in the Grand Review at Washington, then travelled to Wheeling and was mustered out on June 30,1865. During its service, the Regiment lost 4 officers and 77 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded; 115 enlisted men died from disease.