Custer, George Armstrong. Indian Campaign period. Autographed Envelope, ca. 1866. About 5 1/2" by 3". The address is written brown ink by George Armstrong Custer to "Mrs. Genl Custer / Frt Riley. / Ks." In the bottom left corner, Custer writes in the same brown ink; "Politeness of / Mj Genl Gibbs / U.S. A." (Major General Alfred Gibbs was "…an old cavalry friend…" according to Mrs. Custer. Gibbs was on active duty as a Major in the 7th U.S. Cavalry from 1866 to 1868. The envelope was opened at the top and the flap is torn, but the handwritten address (and thus the autograph) is bold and attractive.In July of 1866 Custer was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the Seventh U. S. Cavalry, a new regiment then forming at Fort Riley. Libbie probably arrived at Fort Riley to set up house for the General in October of 1866. Fort Riley records indicate that Custer did not report for duty until November 1. While his official rank at the time was Lieutenant Colonel, it was customary to continue to address him by his brevet rank, which explains why Lieutenant Custer addressed the envelope to Mrs. General Custer.
