Lot
451 
George Armstrong Custer, beautiful red illustrated K.C. Barker & Co. of Detroit building advertising cover addressed in General Custer's hand to Mr. Genl. Custer at Fort Leavenworth Kans., thus a rare autograph, Very Fine; with 2014 P.F. certificate. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
AN ATTRACTIVE COVER FROM GENERAL CUSTER TO HIS WIFE ADDRESSED IN HIS HAND WITH "GENL. CUSTER".
George Armstrong Custer (1839-1876) was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars. Raised in Michigan and Ohio, Custer was admitted to West Point in 1858, where he graduated last in his class. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Custer was called to serve with the Union Army. Custer developed a strong reputation during the Civil War. He fought in the first major engagement, the First Battle of Bull Run. His association with several important officers helped his career, as did his success as a highly effective cavalry commander. Custer was eventually promoted to the temporary rank (brevet) of major general and promoted major general of Volunteers. (At war's end, he reverted to his permanent rank of captain.) At the conclusion of the Appomattox Campaign, in which he and his troops played a decisive role, Custer was present at General Robert E. Lee's surrender. After the Civil War, Custer was dispatched to the west to fight in the American Indian Wars. Custer and all the men with him were killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876, fighting against a coalition of Native American tribes in a battle that has come to be popularly known in American history as "Custer's Last Stand." Custer and his men were defeated so decisively in this battle that the Battle of the Little Bighorn has overshadowed all his prior achievements.
Lot
452
Winfield Scott, manuscript "Free, Winfield Scott, Lieut. Genl" free frank signature as commander of the U.S. army, on immaculate cover to Boston Mass., bold strike of red "New-York 'Free' 28 Apr" cds, Extremely Fine and attractive. Estimate $200 - 300.
Winfield Scott (1786-1866) was a United States Army general serving in the War of 1812, Mexican-American War and the Civil War, and an unsuccessful presidential candidate of the Whig Party in 1852. In 1855, by a special act of Congress, Scott was given a brevet promotion to the rank of lieutenant general, making him only the second person in U.S. military history, after George Washington, to hold that rank.
Realized: $220
Lot
453
William Teccumseh Sherman, manuscript "W.T. Sherman, General" free frank endorsement on "Headquarters Army of the United States, Official Business" imprint cover to Edwards Pierreport in New York City, "Washington D.C. 'Free' Dec 28" cds, original Dec. 28th 1872 ALS on matching Headquarters Army stationery reading "You asked me for my photograph and I enclose one, the best on hand" and signed "W.T. Sherman, General", Very Fine. Estimate $400 - 600.
A CHOICE FREE FRANK AND AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED FROM SHERMAN TO EDWARDS PIERREPONT, A FRIEND OF GRANT'S AND FUTURE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891) was an American soldier, businessman, educator and author. He served as a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861-65), for which he received recognition for his outstanding command of military strategy as well as criticism for the harshness of the "scorched earth" policies that he implemented in conducting total war against the Confederate States.
Realized: $350
Lot
454
[War] Caleb Swan, Paymaster of the Army 1792-1808. Clear "Free C. Swan PMAy" signature as Paymaster on 1805 ALS folded letter addressed to Lieut. Richard Buck, Paymaster of the District of New Orleans, partial magenta Washington D.C. Jul cds with matching "Free" rating handstamp, letter datelined July 3rd, black "New Orleans Oct 4" territorial cds; some fold separations, Very Fine, ex-Tom Alexander, Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $100 - 150.
The cover took three months to arrive in New Orleans less than two years after it was transferred to the United States under the Louisiana Purchase. This is also a first year use of the New Orleans territorial cds.
Realized: $240
Lot
455
[War] Militia Franks - State Adjutant Generals, group of 7 covers including Gen. Joseph Low from Concord N.H., Brig. Gen. F. White from Whitestown N.Y. with fancy red postmark, and J. Washburn from Augusta Me., F.-V.F., ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $80