CUSTER, GEORGE ARMSTRONG, Brigadier General . Autograph letter signed ("GACuster") and initialled ("GAC"), to an unidentified General [probably Philip Sheridan], "one mile beyond Waynesborotown," n.d. [2 March 1865]. 1½ pages, 8vo, scrawled in pencil on a sheet of paper probably from a pocket notebook, slight tear at one fold, light stains to second page. A VIVID BATTLEFIELD REPORT ON CUSTER'S ROUT OF JUBAL EARLY'S CONFEDERATES AT WAYNESBORO, VIRGINIA, IN THE LAST SHANANDOAH VALLEY BATTLE A vivid, hasty communication scawled (probably on horseback) in the immediate aftermath of Custer's victory at Waynesboro. As part of Sheridan's efforts to clear the Shenandoah of rebel forces, Custer and the 3rd Cavalry Division were dispatched to Waynesboro, where a Confederate detachment (2 infantry brigades, some artillery and a small cavalry force) under Early was entrenched. At 3:00 p.m. on March 2nd, taking advantage of two weak flanks of the Confederate line, Custer sent a force under Lt. Col. Whitaker around the Confederate left flank, undetected. "When all was ready...the Boy-General's orderly-bugler sounded the 'Charge,' and Colonel Whitaker's flankers crashed out of the thicket, emptying their Spencers into the backs of Early's startled southerners. At the same time, the 2nd and 3rd Brigades, dashed and floundered...straight at the breastworks. Captain Stevenson of the 1st New York noting 'Custer's gleaming sabre and scarlet cravat being conspicuous among the foremost.' Totally dismayed, the Confederate infantry stampeded, but the gunners stuck to their pieces until the Red Tie boys [Custer's men] rode up to the muzzles...The whole action...to that final charge, had only lasted three hours, but when it was over, the last Confederate army in the Shenandoah Valley was utterly destroyed" (Gregory J.W. Unwin, Custer Victorious , p. 229). Here the exultant Custer writes: "Early with four brigades of the Inf[antry] one batt[er]y of Artill[er]y was posted behind intrenchments at Waynesboro. After an engagement of three hours, I succeeded in placing three regts in Earlys rear and completely routed him capturing three pieces of artill[er]y, three battle flags, a large train of wagons & ambulances and over four hundred prisoners, also a portion of Early's staff. Am in hopes of catching Early. I am pushing him through the Gap [Rockfish Gap]. My loss is slight..." In a postscript, Custer adds: "Another handsome battle flag is just captured."
CUSTER, GEORGE ARMSTRONG, Brigadier General . Autograph letter signed ("GACuster") and initialled ("GAC"), to an unidentified General [probably Philip Sheridan], "one mile beyond Waynesborotown," n.d. [2 March 1865]. 1½ pages, 8vo, scrawled in pencil on a sheet of paper probably from a pocket notebook, slight tear at one fold, light stains to second page. A VIVID BATTLEFIELD REPORT ON CUSTER'S ROUT OF JUBAL EARLY'S CONFEDERATES AT WAYNESBORO, VIRGINIA, IN THE LAST SHANANDOAH VALLEY BATTLE A vivid, hasty communication scawled (probably on horseback) in the immediate aftermath of Custer's victory at Waynesboro. As part of Sheridan's efforts to clear the Shenandoah of rebel forces, Custer and the 3rd Cavalry Division were dispatched to Waynesboro, where a Confederate detachment (2 infantry brigades, some artillery and a small cavalry force) under Early was entrenched. At 3:00 p.m. on March 2nd, taking advantage of two weak flanks of the Confederate line, Custer sent a force under Lt. Col. Whitaker around the Confederate left flank, undetected. "When all was ready...the Boy-General's orderly-bugler sounded the 'Charge,' and Colonel Whitaker's flankers crashed out of the thicket, emptying their Spencers into the backs of Early's startled southerners. At the same time, the 2nd and 3rd Brigades, dashed and floundered...straight at the breastworks. Captain Stevenson of the 1st New York noting 'Custer's gleaming sabre and scarlet cravat being conspicuous among the foremost.' Totally dismayed, the Confederate infantry stampeded, but the gunners stuck to their pieces until the Red Tie boys [Custer's men] rode up to the muzzles...The whole action...to that final charge, had only lasted three hours, but when it was over, the last Confederate army in the Shenandoah Valley was utterly destroyed" (Gregory J.W. Unwin, Custer Victorious , p. 229). Here the exultant Custer writes: "Early with four brigades of the Inf[antry] one batt[er]y of Artill[er]y was posted behind intrenchments at Waynesboro. After an engagement of three hours, I succeeded in placing three regts in Earlys rear and completely routed him capturing three pieces of artill[er]y, three battle flags, a large train of wagons & ambulances and over four hundred prisoners, also a portion of Early's staff. Am in hopes of catching Early. I am pushing him through the Gap [Rockfish Gap]. My loss is slight..." In a postscript, Custer adds: "Another handsome battle flag is just captured."
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.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
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