Description:

GEORGE A. CUSTER
(1839 - 1876) Union major general of cavalry who fought in nearly every battle of the Army of the Potomac, including Gettysburg, and later met his tragic end at the hands of Cheyenne and Sioux warriors at the battle of Little Big Horn. Important political content A.L.S. 'G. A. Custer Lt. Col. 7th Cav. Bt. Maj. Genl.', 4pp. 4to., Fort Riley, Ks., Dec. 26, 1866 to Sen. JACOB M. HOWARD (1805-1871) who represented Custer's home state of Michigan and was Custer's political mentor. In part: '...Enclosed you will find copies of correspondence with Gen. [Russell A.] Alger and Col. McReynolds which I hope you will read carefully and Judge accordingly. I assure you I have be misjudged although I will admit I have given past grounds. I have never the been supporter of Mr. [Andrew] Johnson's policy as represented on the country I have always condemned his unlimited exercise of the pardoning power as well as the conferring of political power upon leading rebels. I attended the Phil. convention not to support Mr. Johnson or his policy, but with the hope that there would be a plan amassed upon which Congress & the President might unite. As soon as I saw the rises made of the movement by Copperheads and peace men who hoped thereby to regain their former power I turned my back upon the movement and in the only section when I endeavored to exercise my own influence, my own dist., I was decided, and outspoken against the Johnson Candidacy and supported Hon F. C. Beconna[?] and as I believe increased the latter's majority by no inconsiderable number of votes. It has been stated that the president gave me my appointment as Lt Col in the regular army. This is an error. I am indebted to Andrew Johnson for nothing. My Appointment was decided upon by the Sec of War and Genl. Grant without the knowledge or advice of the President and before I had taken any part in political affairs. This can be verified by the Sec of War. I am opposed to the idea of general amnesty, believing amnesty should never be granted to the leaders, so far as political power is concerned. I would grant the right of sufferage to the colored men but would prefer the method of impartial[?] suffrage rather than universal suffrage. I trust you will give this and accompanying papers your favorable consideration...' A few trivial spots and pin holes in one corner, else very good. Custer had been mustered out of the U.S. volunteers considered his options for the future, including a run for a seat in the House of Representatives. He positioned himself as a moderate and helped start the Soldiers and Sailors Union in response to the highly partisan Grand Army of the Republic. He attended the National Union Convention a few months earlier, held to encourage political support for President Andrew Johnson, who had already angered Republicans with his Reconstruction policies. Custer joined Johnson's speaking tour which aimed to defend his conciliatory policy towards the South. This led to speculation that Custer's appointment in July as lieutenant colonel of the newly created 7th Cavalry Regiment was made in order to secure his participation in the tour. Ultimately, the tour proved a disaster. In this letter, Custer clearly sees the shifting political winds and attempts to distance himself from Johnson and his policies, while still advocating for African American suffrage. He ended up alienating both Johnson and Ulysses S. Grant, who succeeded him in the White House. Custer remained with the 7th Cavalry and out of politics until he met his end at Little Big Horn ten years later.

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June 16, 2023 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

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