Broadside circular of the historic "Congratulatory Order from General Custer," one page, 6 x 9.5, dated at the Third Cavalry's headquarters at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, the day of General Robert E. Lee's surrender of the Confederate forces. In part: "With profound gratitude toward the God of battles, by whose blessings our enemies have been humbled and our arms rendered triumphant, your commanding General avails himself of this, his first opportunity, to express to you his admiration of the heroic manner in which you have passed through the series of battles which to-day resulted in the surrender of the enemy's entire army. The record established by your indomitable courage, is unparalleled in the annals of war. Your prowess has won for you even the respect and admiration of your enemies. During the past six months, although in most instances confronted by superior numbers, you have captured from the enemy in open battle one hundred and eleven pieces of field artillery, sixty-five battle flags, and upwards of ten thousand prisoners of war, including seven General officers…You have never lost a gun—never lost a color—and have never been defeated. And notwithstanding the numerous engagements in which you have borne a prominent part, including those memorable battles of the Shenandoah, you have captured every piece of artillery the enemy has dared to open upon you…For our comrades who have fallen, let us ever cherish a grateful remembrance. To the wounded and to those who languish in Southern prisons, let our heartfelt sympathies be tendered. And now, speaking for myself alone, when the war is ended, and the task of the historian begins; when those deeds of daring, which have rendered the name and fame of the Third Cavalry Division imperishable, are inscribed upon the bright pages of our country's history, I only ask that my name may be written as that of the commander of the Third Cavalry Division. G. A. Custer, Brevet Major General." In very good condition, with foxing, staining, and intersecting folds. It is believed that this handbill was privately printed in the weeks following the surrender by a Southerner who aimed to sell souvenirs to the occupying Union troops; Custer was not awarded the rank of Brevet Major General until April 15th, six days after he originally issued this congratulatory order.
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