LS signed “G. A. Custer,” 7.75 x 9.75, October 15, 1865. Letter to Major George Lee complaining of the conduct of a paymaster under Custer’s command. In part: “I desire to call the attention of the Major General Commanding to the conduct of Major McAllister Paymaster U.S.A. while at this point paying off the troops of my command. He has been here probably ten days…a great portion of the time he has been under the influence of liquor, frequently to such an extent to unfit him for duty, and on one occasion when intoxicated, sent ‘his clerks as deputies to pay the men of the pontoon train.’ He has kept his room at the hotel almost daily as a gambling room frequently being engaged the greater portion of the night gambling with officers of this Command. Major McAllister has been frequently seen playing cards and betting upon the games during his stay. The sum of money upon the table at times and being played for has been reported to me as being large…I respectfully submit the above statement with the accompanying statements of Officers for the consideration of the Major General Commanding. I would add that Major McAllister has left this point for Houston, and expressed his intention before leaving of hastening to New Orleans and tendering his resignation before this report could be received and be acted upon.” Partial separation along hinge, scattered mild toning, and slight show-through from text on reverse, otherwise fine condition.
In October of 1865, only six months after the close of the Civil War, Custer led the 2nd Division of Cavalry into Austin, where he became Chief of Cavalry for the Department of Texas. The duration of the march and occupation there was marked with considerable friction and near mutiny from the volunteer cavalry regiments who resented the imposed discipline from this Eastern Theater general for whom they had no respect. In this letter, Custer focuses on a newcomer to his command, Major McAllister, who appears to have joined the insolent troops, encouraged their misbehavior, and left for New Orleans as quickly as he came.
At the beginning of November 1865, Custer’s division was mustered out and replaced by regulars of the US 6th Cavalry Regiment: though unsuccessful, several members planned an ambush on Custer upon their discharge. His reputation as a disciplinarian never diminished, earning him the nicknames ‘Iron Butt’ and ‘Hard Ass’ (a playful jab from his troops in the Indian War for his physical stamina in the saddle as well as his strict discipline), but moving forward he had no further disruption from his men. Already heading towards Indian territories where he would meet his fate 11 years later, the general struggles to rein in a cavalry of insubordinate, drunken troops before continuing his campaign. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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