Military officer (1846–1876) who served in the Civil War and who joined the 7th Cavalry upon its inception in 1866. Cooke commanded Custer’s “sharpshooters” during the Washita Campaign and was present in 1869 when Stone Forehead warned Custer that if he ever made war on the Cheyenne again, Custer and his men would be killed. Cooke wrote Custer’s famous final order for Benteen to “come on” before he himself was killed, along with Custer, on Last Stand Hill during the Battle of Little Bighorn. Partly printed DS, signed “W. W. Cooke” as 1st Lieutenant, 7th Cavalry, one page on vellum neatly trimmed to 7.5 x 9.5, June 9, 1871. A discharge for Pierre A. Banker, a sergeant major in the 7th Cavalry. In addition to signing, Cooke has written “Good” under the printed heading for “Character.” Trimming as noted, a touch of mild soiling and handling wear, and faint show-through from printing on reverse, otherwise fine condition. R&R COA.
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