FOUR PAGE LETTER WRITTEN TO “OH SWEETNESS, DARLING LOVE” FROM AUTIE.

FOUR PAGE LETTER WRITTEN TO “OH SWEETNESS, DARLING LOVE” FROM AUTIE. Large folded sheet written on all 4 sides. Near Fort Hayes, May 3, 1867, 9:45 p.m., Confidential. /My Sweetness/Darling Love/Your Bo is happy to night and you would be also did you know all- What I write tonight is for you alone do not breathe it to any person. Genls Hancock & Smith with the trains and the Battery & 37th Inf reached here this afternoon. I have not seen Genl H nor any other person except Genl Smith & —- who took dinner with me at 5. After dinner Genl S and I went off alone and had a nice confidential chat. The reason I ask you to preserve silence even to —-is that Genl S desires that Genl Hancock should learn nothing of our private doings. My own opinion is that Genl H would not object is he did but it is Genl S’ request. Genl Hancock leaves here for Leavenworth day after tomorrow, leaving the 37th Inf and 7th Cav here under Genl S and your Bo. The Battery goes —– with Genl H.-Genl H will probably stop at H—- two or three days and at Riley as —–, Genl S (ain’t your place!) says I may start for you as soon as Genl H——- is well on his way, so that he will have left Riley before I reach there. Is that not splendid. Didn’t your Bo assure you it would be all night. Now you must not by act word or — intimate to any person that I am coming. If you do I will never tell you another secret. No one here knows it except Genl S and I. When I come away from Riley I am to bring Genl G—you had better go to Leavenworth at once do not stay but on day. You can give as an excuse that I said you had better go now when you are sure of Mr. Jones escort. Get what money you require — — Price or Tom. While I think of it you referred to Low as if he had been drinking etc I have firmly resolved that if Low has resumed the habit of drinking, now that he has recovered from his illness, he has not the shadow of an excuse for he shall not go with me to ——- or to any other post if he loves whiskey better than he does me. I will not interfere further than that —– ——– have us both together. I have — all I —– — —– in regard to this matter. He is fully acquainted with my views and wishes . He can disregard them or not. I know of no young man in whom the habit of drinking intoxicating liquors would be more silly and contemptible than in Low, for ther reason that he has not — habit fixed upon him yet, but through lack of moral courage and because some persons —- him he yields and does what he knows is far from right. You may tell him for me that he will not be permitted to play the second —- about me. He is at liberty to make his choice./Now Libbie without Low’s knowledge of the fact that I told you to do so read the above to him the above commencing upon the opposite page with the words I have firmly resolved etc. I desire this done only in case Low has been on a spree or drinking as your letter intimated. I wish I could be there to do to Leavenworth with you. Get everything you wish. I wish I could notify Gen Gibbs that I am coming and that he is to return with me so that he might make this ———, but I cannot. I hope you won’t tell any one since even under the strongest —— of secrecy. It is now very late and as Genl H inspects the 7th early tomorrow morning I must get some sleep considering I did not go to bed last night until after 12. You have heard enough for one —- Have you not ! _____ B—– is under arrest upon some frivolous charge regarding his riding a govt horse I am going to tru and get him released. Genl S & —- took dinner with me you should have seen them eat. —- said he had not eaten so much for weeks and Genl S —- more than stuffed I gave each a piece of my — cake which “somebody” sent me and they were surprised and delighted. Genl S wrapped his up in a paper and carried it home. He said “When you write give my love to Mrs. Custer-my best love” and then added “well that’s damn fine sending my love to another man’s wife” I replied “Oh that’s all right and she’ll be very much pleased to receive the message.” I must say good night to the sweetest dearest lovliest and best of girls and one to whom I hope to fold in my arms before long, H— are you “The 20th of May”/—— —- — Autie” 4-30905, 4-30932 (6,000-10,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007

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
	400A	$12,075.00	FOUR PAGE LETTER WRITTEN TO “OH SWEETNESS, DARLING LOVE” FROM AUTIE. Large folded sheet written on all 4 sides. Near Fort Hayes, May 3, 1867, 9:45 p.m., Confidential. /My Sweetness/Darling Love/Your Bo is happy to night and you would be also did you know all- What I write tonight is for you alone do not breathe it to any person. Genls Hancock & Smith with the trains and the Battery & 37th Inf reached here this afternoon. I have not seen Genl H nor any other person except Genl Smith & —- who took dinner with me at 5. After dinner Genl S and I went off alone and had a nice confidential chat. The reason I ask you to preserve silence even to —-is that Genl S desires that Genl Hancock should learn nothing of our private doings. My own opinion is that Genl H would not object is he did but it is Genl S’ request. Genl Hancock leaves here for Leavenworth day after tomorrow, leaving the 37th Inf and 7th Cav here under Genl S and your Bo. The Battery goes —– with Genl H.-Genl H will probably stop at H—- two or three days and at Riley as —–, Genl S (ain’t your place!) says I may start for you as soon as Genl H——- is well on his way, so that he will have left Riley before I reach there. Is that not splendid. Didn’t your Bo assure you it would be all night. Now you must not by act word or — intimate to any person that I am coming. If you do I will never tell you another secret. No one here knows it except Genl S and I. When I come away from Riley I am to bring Genl G—you had better go to Leavenworth at once do not stay but on day. You can give as an excuse that I said you had better go now when you are sure of Mr. Jones escort. Get what money you require — — Price or Tom. While I think of it you referred to Low as if he had been drinking etc I have firmly resolved that if Low has resumed the habit of drinking, now that he has recovered from his illness, he has not the shadow of an excuse for he shall not go with me to ——- or to any other post if he loves whiskey better than he does me. I will not interfere further than that —– ——– have us both together. I have — all I —– — —– in regard to this matter. He is fully acquainted with my views and wishes . He can disregard them or not. I know of no young man in whom the habit of drinking intoxicating liquors would be more silly and contemptible than in Low, for ther reason that he has not — habit fixed upon him yet, but through lack of moral courage and because some persons —- him he yields and does what he knows is far from right. You may tell him for me that he will not be permitted to play the second —- about me. He is at liberty to make his choice./Now Libbie without Low’s knowledge of the fact that I told you to do so read the above to him the above commencing upon the opposite page with the words I have firmly resolved etc. I desire this done only in case Low has been on a spree or drinking as your letter intimated. I wish I could be there to do to Leavenworth with you. Get everything you wish. I wish I could notify Gen Gibbs that I am coming and that he is to return with me so that he might make this ———, but I cannot. I hope you won’t tell any one since even under the strongest —— of secrecy. It is now very late and as Genl H inspects the 7th early tomorrow morning I must get some sleep considering I did not go to bed last night until after 12. You have heard enough for one —- Have you not ! _____ B—– is under arrest upon some frivolous charge regarding his riding a govt horse I am going to tru and get him released. Genl S & —- took dinner with me you should have seen them eat. —- said he had not eaten so much for weeks and Genl S —- more than stuffed I gave each a piece of my — cake which “somebody” sent me and they were surprised and delighted. Genl S wrapped his up in a paper and carried it home. He said “When you write give my love to Mrs. Custer-my best love” and then added “well that’s damn fine sending my love to another man’s wife” I replied “Oh that’s all right and she’ll be very much pleased to receive the message.” I must say good night to the sweetest dearest lovliest and best of girls and one to whom I hope to fold in my arms before long, H— are you “The 20th of May”/—— —- — Autie” 4-30905, 4-30932 (6,000-10,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007 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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