Description:

EDWARD S. GODFREY DESCRIBES CUSTER'S ACTIONS BEFORE LITTLE BIGHORN
EDWARD S. GODFREY(1843-1932) American military officer, first lieutenant of Co. K in the 7th Cavalry, under Frederick Benteen and was instrumental in securing Reno Hill during the Battle of Little Bighorn. Unsigned partial autograph manuscript,1p. 4to., [n.p., n.d.], written on the verso of a list of by-laws for a West Point fraternal organization. Godfrey explains and defends the actions taken by GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER immediately preceding the battle, in part: "...Up to the time that it was known that the Indians knew of the presence of the troops, Genl. Custer had not left the valley of the Rose Bud. As soon as he became satisfied that the Indians were aware of the presence of the troops he determined upon the attack. And why? Because it was expected that the village would scatter and as soon as the warriors had placed their families in safety they would make an attack upon the troops..." The draft features numerous ink strike-throughs and corrections, and the document has been affected by ink erosion in several areas. SOLD WITH: Large and bold signature, "E.S. Godfrey, Capt. 7th Cavalry, Fort Yates, Dakota, July 29, 1884", in black ink on a quarto page excised from an encyclopedia. These items were consigned to us by descendants of Godfrey, who discovered them in the attic of the family home in New Jersey. An excellent account of the circumstances of the battle, from one of its principle eyewitnesses.

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May 25, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

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