GEORGE CUSTER’S CAVALRY DIVISION BADGE ISSUED TO CAPTAIN BENJAMIN B. TUTTLE.

10.07gms – silver shell, bar and ribbon. 38mm across/42mm high/2mm thick. By Hunt & Co. Design: Inside inner circle, leftward facing bust of Custer with name above, wreath around, 5 points radiate from circle with spurs and boots at angles, flags with crossed swords at left and right with large set of crossed swords at top. Crossbar: Hand engraved “Capt. B.B. Tuttle Co. D. 1. C. C. V.” with flourishes. The Union’s Custer Cavalry Badge was adopted by General Custer and issued to Captain Benjamin B. Tuttle of Bridgeport, CT. Tuttle entered the Army as part of the Connecticut 1st Cavalry in November of 1861, eventually rising to the rank of Captain of the “D” Company on February 2, 1865 and mustering out in August 1865. It is interesting to note that when Tuttle was promoted to Captain, the unit was detailed to escort General Grant at Appomattox to receive Lee’s surrender. Lt. Colonel Whittaker of the 1st Connecticut was Custer’s Chief of Staff and made the negotiation which stopped the fighting at Appomattox while carrying the flag of truce ending up in Custer’s estate. The 1st Connecticut was praised by Sheridan for their dispersing of the enemy’s cavalry at the Battle of Cedar Creek where they were the forward regiment led by Custer on that decisive battle on October 19, 1864. The crossbar, attached at the top of the ribbon with pin-back, references the Captain rank, thus dating the piece towards the end of his duty. According to a period advertisement of the medal, red ribbons, as was used on the present, were given to the 1st Brigade with white being second and blue being third. Like examples are certainly rare, as the last traceable example to reach public auction was sold as part of the John J. Ford Collection, Part VII (Starks, NYC) in January 2005. That example, incomplete, was missing the orig ribbon and bar that identified ownership – a pin had also been added on back to allow for presentation without ribbon. Close inspection reveals a subtle difference in the two medals – the Ford specimen having a “3” on both flags that flank the central design while the present has crossed swords. This very rare Custer medal is among the finest examples that can be found. PROVENANCE: General George A and Elizabeth Custer, Margaret Flood (Libbie Custer’s personal assistant), Spink Smythe, Lot 1074, August 22, 2012. CONDITION: The Tuttle badge has acquired a deep olive-gray patina with a minuscule tick here and there of little visual consequence. Two tiny stems are originally present at the bottom of the medal, one appearing to have broken off at one time. The silk red ribbon remains exceptionally fresh with bright color and a tight weave. Lastly, the engraved silver pin-back flourish bar is toned at the edges with brilliance at the centers where the name engraving is encountered. A minor bend is noted. Certainly a significant offering, both because of its relation to Custer and its direct attachment to a Union solider. While the connection remains unknown though further research may discover the connection, the inclusion of this medal alongside several of Custer’s personal affects is intriguing and could spur further research into a closer linkage between the two. 48441-1 (8,000-12,000) – Lot 2230

Auction: Fine Art, Asian & Antiques - August 2015

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
	2230	$7,110.00	GEORGE CUSTER’S CAVALRY DIVISION BADGE ISSUED TO CAPTAIN BENJAMIN B. TUTTLE. 10.07gms – silver shell, bar and ribbon. 38mm across/42mm high/2mm thick. By Hunt & Co. Design: Inside inner circle, leftward facing bust of Custer with name above, wreath around, 5 points radiate from circle with spurs and boots at angles, flags with crossed swords at left and right with large set of crossed swords at top. Crossbar: Hand engraved “Capt. B.B. Tuttle Co. D. 1. C. C. V.” with flourishes. The Union’s Custer Cavalry Badge was adopted by General Custer and issued to Captain Benjamin B. Tuttle of Bridgeport, CT. Tuttle entered the Army as part of the Connecticut 1st Cavalry in November of 1861, eventually rising to the rank of Captain of the “D” Company on February 2, 1865 and mustering out in August 1865. It is interesting to note that when Tuttle was promoted to Captain, the unit was detailed to escort General Grant at Appomattox to receive Lee’s surrender. Lt. Colonel Whittaker of the 1st Connecticut was Custer’s Chief of Staff and made the negotiation which stopped the fighting at Appomattox while carrying the flag of truce ending up in Custer’s estate. The 1st Connecticut was praised by Sheridan for their dispersing of the enemy’s cavalry at the Battle of Cedar Creek where they were the forward regiment led by Custer on that decisive battle on October 19, 1864. The crossbar, attached at the top of the ribbon with pin-back, references the Captain rank, thus dating the piece towards the end of his duty. According to a period advertisement of the medal, red ribbons, as was used on the present, were given to the 1st Brigade with white being second and blue being third. Like examples are certainly rare, as the last traceable example to reach public auction was sold as part of the John J. Ford Collection, Part VII (Starks, NYC) in January 2005. That example, incomplete, was missing the orig ribbon and bar that identified ownership – a pin had also been added on back to allow for presentation without ribbon. Close inspection reveals a subtle difference in the two medals – the Ford specimen having a “3” on both flags that flank the central design while the present has crossed swords. This very rare Custer medal is among the finest examples that can be found. PROVENANCE: General George A and Elizabeth Custer, Margaret Flood (Libbie Custer’s personal assistant), Spink Smythe, Lot 1074, August 22, 2012. CONDITION: The Tuttle badge has acquired a deep olive-gray patina with a minuscule tick here and there of little visual consequence. Two tiny stems are originally present at the bottom of the medal, one appearing to have broken off at one time. The silk red ribbon remains exceptionally fresh with bright color and a tight weave. Lastly, the engraved silver pin-back flourish bar is toned at the edges with brilliance at the centers where the name engraving is encountered. A minor bend is noted. Certainly a significant offering, both because of its relation to Custer and its direct attachment to a Union solider. While the connection remains unknown though further research may discover the connection, the inclusion of this medal alongside several of Custer’s personal affects is intriguing and could spur further research into a closer linkage between the two. 48441-1 (8,000-12,000) – Lot 2230 Auction: Fine Art, Asian & Antiques - August 2015 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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GEORGE CUSTER’S CAVALRY DIVISION BADGE ISSUED TO CAPTAIN BENJAMIN B. TUTTLE.