Beschreibung:

Archive associated with Custer and frontier Montana from the collection of Philip J. Dieter (1843-1927), a veteran of the Civil War and the late Indian wars. Born in Baltimore, he was an ardent supporter of the Union. Discharge documents confirm two terms of service and anecdotal evidence that he was sent home as being too young after trying to enlist at age 16. He first officially enlisted at age 21 in Baltimore in May 1865 for a term of one year. After the war ended, he reenlisted in 1866, age 23, for a term of 3 years, and became a member of the 7th Cavalry, which was later commanded by George Armstrong Custer. Sometime later, prior to 1920, Dieter evidently wrote to Elizabeth "Libbie" Bacon Custer (1842-1933), inquiring about Custer's 1874 memoir My Life on the Plains. In a 3-page autograph letter signed ("Elizabeth B. Custer") to Philip J. Dieter from New York, on Nov. 23, n.d., ca 1920, Libbie responds to Mr. Dieter's request: "I am sorry to tell you that my husband's delightful book on the Plains has been out of print for many years and I have never been able to secure the plates in order to have more books printed." Instead, she notes that she has enclosed to him, "an engraving of the General that I like very much. I now have the steel plate from which I can have pictures printed, it is, you see, taken in the uniform of Lieut. Colonel as you used to see him." The archive includes the print mentioned by Custer, and additional items, comprising: Engraving after photograph by W.R. Howell. Engraved by J.C. Buttre with holographic signature by George Armstrong Custer, signed below by Elizabeth B. Custer. -- Photograph of Dieters outside, wearing military medals. 3.5 x 5.5 in. -- 2 partly-printed discharge documents for Philp Dieter from his 1865 and 1869 discharges. -- CUSTER, Elizabeth "Libbie" Bacon. "Boots and Saddles" Or Life in Dakota with General Custer. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1885. 8vo. Frontispiece portrait, map. (Some toning, front free endpaper torn). Original illustrated brown cloth gilt (light rubbing to extremities). Provenance: Philip Dieter, Sr. (signed to front flyleaf). FIRST EDITION. Notably, the archive includes a collection of 31 rare stereoviews, all but two by S.J. Morrow of Yankton, Dakota Territory, which Elizabeth Custer reportedly also sent to Dieter. From various Morrow series, most from "Photographic Views of the Great North-west and Yellowstone Scenery & Indian Views," each with Morrow's imprint to recto. Several include pencil inscriptions to the versos with further details of the images. The author of the inscriptions is unknown but seems to be a resident in the area around Miles City and has written the inscriptions for the benefit of a friend or family member back east. Highlights include: 4 stereoviews documenting a reburial at Little Big Horn including an exceedingly scarce image of 2 covered wagons, tents, and several men making camp, with clipped caption affixed to the verso: "no. 43 Capt. Sanderson's camp at the ford, while gathering the bones and building the moment."; an image of a stone cairn with a flag, clipped caption reading: "No. 42 the monument on Custer's hill, containing all the bones found on the field" with the pencil inscription continuing, "Since replaced by suitable granite shaft.''; an image of a pile of bones, most appear to be animal remains, clipped caption reading: "no. 34. Gen'l Custer's last stand, looking in direction of for and Indian village" with extensive ink inscription summarizing Custer's Last Stand; and an image of two men paying respects to a monument at Little Bighorn, clipped caption reading: "no. 38 Decorating the graves on Custer's Battle field," with a newspaper clipping affixed to verso, "The Custer Monument in Montana has been so greatly defaced by Indians shooting at it that it has been found necessary to recut the names on it," and pencil inscription stating, "Sin speaks for itself." 18 rare stereoview taken in and around Miles City, Monta