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Lot #65
George S. Patton Early Autograph Letter Signed on West Point Life and Studies - "I think I must be terribly stupid for I have studied pretty hard"

Estimate: $1500+

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Server Time: 5/19/2026 02:56:02 PM EDT
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Description

Early ALS signed “Geo. S. Patton, Jr.,” five pages on two sheets, 5 x 6.5, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York letterhead, no date. Handwritten letter to his Aunt Nannie, in part: "Last night we all went to a lecture…given by a war correspondent. The lecture was illustrated by a large number of pictures taken by speaker—many of these were very good but the lecture itself was exceedingly poor at the very beginning he carefully informed us that he always carried a pair of the most powerful glasses made and from the amount of knowledge he achieved he must have always stayed sufficiently in rear to test their power to the utmost for he apparently knew nothing of the fighting he gave however several illustrative insidents [sic] he said that once he came on four batteries of Russian artillery firing very rapidly and with nearly all their ammunition gone and that the colonel in command asked him if he could see or knew what he was shooting at for he himself had not the least idea. He was also at the battle of Syoyang and said that instead of the Japs crossing the river under a heavy fire and storming the banks that the battle took place three and a half miles beyond the river and that the Japs crossed the river entirely unopposed. While instead of hand to hand fighting the Russians did not see a Jap the whole day while the enemy's artillery which caused them the most loss was firing over two ranges of hills and was directed from a station six miles off to the left of the battle…think that my stand is vile and now it's even worse we had the general transfer in french today…I have gotten a considerable no of demerits alas so am feeling rotten which is only natural. I think I must be terribly stupid for I have studied pretty hard.” In fine condition.

Patton spent one year at Virginia Military Institute before entering the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1904. At the academy, Patton had special difficulty with mathematics and did not graduate until 1909, 46th in a class of 103. Despite these early struggles, he went on to compete in the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, finishing fifth in the inaugural modern pentathlon, and later rose through the ranks to become one of the most celebrated American generals of World War II.


From the personal collection of a lifelong collector, teacher, and traveler with a passion for world history. His collecting years ranged from the 1970s to the present day, meaning that several of the premier pieces have not been on the market in decades.

Auction Info






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