Winter Auction 2015 closing February 7
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/8/2015
Fort Abraham Lincoln was established in 1872 in Dakota Territory, first as an infantry post. In 1873, the 7th Cavalry was stationed at the enlarged post and Lt. Colonel George A. Custer, Brevet Major General, was the First Post Commander. He served at Fort Lincoln from 1873 until the Battle of the Little Big Horn.
On July 2, 1874, just nine days after signing this document, Custer moved his forces out of Fort Lincoln with trains numbering over 100 wagons, two companies of Infantry, a piece of heavy artillery, several Gatling guns, complemented by ten companies of the 7th Cavalry. In addition, he assembled a large group of Indian scouts. They entered the Black Hills on July 25th and remained in the hills for several weeks before returning to Fort Lincoln with information that the Black Hills were not being used by the Sioux. Custer’s next expedition to the Black Hills was in mid-May 1876. This time, the expedition ended at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, June 25, 1876.
This 7.5” x 9.25” letter was written by Custer: “Know Ye, That William Gambrill a Sergeant of Captain Charles E. Clarkes Company D of the Seventeenth Regiment of Infantry who was enlisted the Twentythird day of June one thousand eight hundred and Sixty nine to serve Five Years is hereby discharged from the Army of the United States in consequence of Expiration of term of Service. Said William Gambrill was born in Baltimore in the State of Maryland, is 24 years of age 5 feet 9 inches high sallow complexion Grey eyes Brown hair, and by occupation when enlisted a Farmer…” There is scattered soiling and damp staining and wear at folds as documents of this type were usually folded up and carried as identification by the soldier. LOA from PSA/DNA.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.