Description:

ELIZABETH CUSTER MANUSCRIPT ON THE LIFE OF CAPT. GEORGE W. YATES
ELIZABETH "LIBBY" CUSTER (1842 - 1933) American author, wife of George Armstrong Custer (1839-1876) Union brigadier general killed at the Battle of Little Big Horn. Extraordinary autograph manuscript signed "Custer" five times within the text, 5pp. large 8vo., [n.p., n.d., likely New York ca. 1903]. Mrs. Custer describes the life of Capt. GEORGE W. YATES, who would fall near her husband during the Battle of Little Big Horn. In part: "...Capt. George W. Yates, a hero of the Sioux War, who gave his life with his friend Genl Custer in the fight against Sitting Bull and his command deserves especial attention. He was appointed by the President 1st lieutenant in the 4th Michigan Volunteers (Cavalry)...". She then describes Yates' promotions and their dates, also: "[he] contributed...to drive Genl Price and his army of 20,000 from the state of Missouri...victory on the Osage River near Fort Scott...served continuously with Genl Custer through the Wichita and all other Indian campaigns...they were always victorious...the 7th Cavalry captured eighty chiefs and finally ended the Indian trouble in those two territories...Capt. Yates served with Genl. Custer through the Indian campaigns of Dakota and Montana against Sitting Bull...had several fights with Sitting Bull...Capt. Yates' horse was shot in the neck...In 1875 he, with a hand full of men captured Rain-in-the-Face...in the face of two thousand Indians who were all armed with better guns...it was with Captain Yates and his company that Genl. Custer made the last stand on the 25th of June 1876...three hundred were annihilated...". Libby and George Custer were close friends with Yates and his wife Annie, the two men having met in Monroe, Michigan in 1862. Their wives became intimate friends and enjoyed extended stays with each other following the deaths of their husbands. Very good. Sold with: the wrapper from the an 1866 document bearing Yates' name seeking a promotion and bearing the names of those who recommended him: "Grant...Pope...Custer...Pleasanton...Dodge..."; an unknown person's letter to Yates, 1867; a war-date pass on Headquarters Cavalry Corps Army of the Potomac letterhead authorizing him and a detachment of men to go to Auburn "...for the purpose of re-capturing property...", and some other related ephemera.

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September 10, 2013 11:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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