George A. Custer Signed Unique 7th Calvary Orders For Horses and Formations

This is an extremely rare signed item of the 7th Cavalry, the first as they entered the Department which its name, and Custer’s, will always be inextricably linked. Not only have we never seen another order to the 7th Cavalry signed by Custer, nor does a search of public sale records going back 40 years reveal any others.

A document entitled “Circular No. 24” and addressed to the officers of George A. Custer's 7th Calvary, providing new orders on proper formation tactics. 1p, measuring 8" x 12.5", Headquarters Detachment 7th Cavalry, Camp Sturgis, dated April 26, 1873. Boldly signed at lower right as “G.A. Custer, Lt. Col. 7th Cav.” Document bearing expected creasing and flattened letter folds, with isolated soiling present along the lower middle crease. Very good with signature measuring 3" long! Attractively displayed in a decorative gilt frame, accompanied by a portrait engraving of Custer, to the overall size of 19.5" x 23.5" x 2". A rare memento of the reorganization of the 7th Cavalry, offering insight into Custer's mindset as Commander.

In full:
“The attention of line officers ^is called to the printed instructions found on page 12, U.S. Cavalry Tactics, 1841, immediately following the words ‘Compliments by Cavalry under review’, for information as to posts of troop officers & when the battalion formation is observed. When a troop forms singly the posts of officers will be in accordance with the rules laid down on page 4 of same volume.
At the command of ‘Prepare to dismount’ given by the battalion commander, the Chief of squadrons, or if the formation is by troop, the Captains of troops and the Chiefs of platoons, will come forward paces, turn their horses to the right about and superintend the execution of the order by their respective commands. In the execution of the commands ‘Prepare to mount’, and ‘Mount’, similar rules will govern; officers will resume their proper front in each case immediately after the execution of the command ‘Form ranks’. The same rule will govern in the squadron and troop acting singly.”

The famed 7th U.S. Cavalry was formed in 1866, with its first lieutenant colonel being the picturesque cavalryman George A. Custer (1839-1876), who had been one of General Philip Sheridan’s most trusted division commanders during the Civil War. In the spring of 1873, ten companies of the 7th Cavalry under Custer's command headed by steamboat up to Cairo, Illinois, and then took the trains to their first stop in their new Department, Yankton, Dakota Territory [now South Dakota], arriving on April 9th. Custer in turn selected a campsite for the unit just east of the Rhine Creek along the railroad tracks, and a tent city known as Camp Sturgis sprang up on the flatland beyond the town.

On April 13th, the mild springtime weather suddenly changed, and for two days intermittent sleet and snow made camp life miserable. On the 15th a spitting rain turned to powdery, windblown snow, and as the blinding blizzard mounted, the precisely organized military cantonment became a frenzied arena of confusion. As tents were blown down, Custer gave the order for the men to take individual initiative- to try to lead their horses to shelter in Yankton’s warehouses, stables and livery barns. When the storm abated Custer looked around and determined he needed to reorganize his regiment. He would do so utilizing the U.S. Cavalry’s rule book.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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