George Armstrong Custer Papers, 1865-1876
Scope and Contents
These letters and newspaper clippings deal mostly with the famous "Battle of the Little Big Horn", and one letter concerns a horse named "Don Juan." There are photographs of Custer and his horse, "Comanche."
"Interesting items: A telegram from Gen. G. A. Custer to Lawrence Barrett in New York. Barrett was th e famous Shakespearean actor and an intimate friend of Custer. The wire is dated March 4, 1876, St. Paul Minnesota, and reads, "We start to meet Sitting Bull tomorrow-will reach Lincoln Monday." Also in Custer's hand is a letter to Mr. Barrett in which he writes "... Mr. S. B. had better put his house in order as his friends in the words of Babcock may visit him ..."
Dates
- Creation: 1865 - 1876
Conditions Governing Access
Access is by appointment only.
Biographical / Historical
George A. Custer, an American army officer, was born at New Rumley, Ohio. He graduated from West Point in 1861 and served through the Civil War. He engaged in western patrol duty and in Indian fighting, especially in the expedition to Black Hills (1874). He was killed with all his immediate command in the Battle of Little Big Horn June 25, 1876.
Extent
4 items
Language of Materials
English
Physical Description
Fair condition; the papers are intact, but fragile and need careful handling.
Subject
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Helmerich Center for American Research at Gilcrease Museum Repository
1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Rd.
Tulsa Ok 74127
918-631-6441