IMPORTANT LETTER TO GENERAL RANDALL MACKENZIE CONCERNING CUSTER BATTLE “SOUVENIRS” CAPTURED BY INDIANS JUST AFTER MASSACRE AT LITTLE BIG HORN.

IMPORTANT LETTER TO GENERAL RANDALL MACKENZIE CONCERNING CUSTER BATTLE “SOUVENIRS” CAPTURED BY INDIANS JUST AFTER MASSACRE AT LITTLE BIG HORN. Octavo letter has been archivally framed such that both sides can be seen. This letter is written by order of Gen. George Crook to Gen. Randall McKenzie at Camp Robinson less than two months after Custer’s demise. It is important to Crook and his superiors in Washington that any personal possessions of the victims who died with Custer that are now in the possession of Indians should be collected and returned to grieving relatives. This official “true copy” was ordered given to Indian agent at the Red Cloud agency which was protected by troops at Camp Robinson. The ring of Lieut. William Van Reilly so well described as having a “bloodstone with device of a Griffin’s head, holding a key in its mouth” was recovered from an Indian who surrendered at Camp Robinson in April of 1877. That ring is now in the collections of the Smithsonian Institute. Other souvenirs known recaptured and now in museums included a guidon pennant shown in famous contemporary photograph with General Crook. This order in this letter, no doubt lead to the recovery of these important returned artifacts. We can find nothing similar ever offered. CONDITION: Three punched holes for binder do not affect text, ink is dark and discernible though docketing date after “re’d Red Cloud Agency” has ink stain obscuring several letters, but date “Oct 2, 1876” is reentered in line below. Letter could not be removed from frame for further examination that appear sound and solid no problems to paper. 4-47014 JS232 (17,500-22,500)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2160	$0.00	IMPORTANT LETTER TO GENERAL RANDALL MACKENZIE CONCERNING CUSTER BATTLE “SOUVENIRS” CAPTURED BY INDIANS JUST AFTER MASSACRE AT LITTLE BIG HORN. Octavo letter has been archivally framed such that both sides can be seen. This letter is written by order of Gen. George Crook to Gen. Randall McKenzie at Camp Robinson less than two months after Custer’s demise. It is important to Crook and his superiors in Washington that any personal possessions of the victims who died with Custer that are now in the possession of Indians should be collected and returned to grieving relatives. This official “true copy” was ordered given to Indian agent at the Red Cloud agency which was protected by troops at Camp Robinson. The ring of Lieut. William Van Reilly so well described as having a “bloodstone with device of a Griffin’s head, holding a key in its mouth” was recovered from an Indian who surrendered at Camp Robinson in April of 1877. That ring is now in the collections of the Smithsonian Institute. Other souvenirs known recaptured and now in museums included a guidon pennant shown in famous contemporary photograph with General Crook. This order in this letter, no doubt lead to the recovery of these important returned artifacts. We can find nothing similar ever offered. CONDITION: Three punched holes for binder do not affect text, ink is dark and discernible though docketing date after “re’d Red Cloud Agency” has ink stain obscuring several letters, but date “Oct 2, 1876” is reentered in line below. Letter could not be removed from frame for further examination that appear sound and solid no problems to paper. 4-47014 JS232 (17,500-22,500) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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