LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 October Grand Format Autographs #629  / 

25323

Rare Thomas Custer Cut Signature

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Rare Thomas Custer Cut Signature
<B>Rare Thomas Custer Signature</B></I> "<I>T W Custer 1st Lieut. 7th Cavalry</B></I>", removed from a larger document. One page, 3" x 2", np, nd, Custer signs as company commander. Thomas Custer, brother of George Armstrong Custer, fell by his side. While Custer was greatly known for the way in which he died at Little Bighorn, it is worth first noting the bravery for which he received a Gold Medal of Honor during the Civil War. Herewith a single first hand testimony; "Custer crossed the line of temporary works on the flank of the road, where his unit was confronted by a supporting battle-line. In the second line he wrested the colors from an enemy color bearer. Advancing on another standard he was shot in the face which knocked him back on his horse. Despite his wounds, he continued his assault on the color bearer who began to fall from wounds he had also received. As he fell, the wounded Lieutenant Custer reached out to grasp this second standard of colors, bearing both off in triumph." As for the famous fate of his heart, it was widely rumored that Rain-in-the-Face, who had escaped from captivity and was a participant at the Little Bighorn, had cut out Tom Custer's heart as revenge. Tom Custer's body was badly mutilated by the Indians after he was killed and his heart was missing. His remains were identified by a recognizable tattoo of his initials on his arm.
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