Custer's Civil War Bugler Jos. Fought Sends Condolences to Libbie: “the General is gone…he really is no more”
George Custer
Washington, DC, July 10, 1876
Custer's Civil War Bugler Jos. Fought Sends Condolences to Libbie: "the General is gone…he really is no more"
ALS
Joseph Fought ALS to Libbie Custer sending condolences. 6pp on War Department, Judge Advocate General's letterhead, 5" x 8"; Washington DC; July 10, 1876. Joseph Fought writes an anguished letter, expressing grief and disbelief that George Custer had been "put to death by such Savages." Fought had served as Custer's bugler during the Civil War, and his loyalty to the dashing officer extended well beyond his years of service under him. The letter is accompanied by the original transmittal cover addressed to "Mrs. General G. A. Custer / Fort Abraham Lincoln / D.T." He adds a note at bottom left: "[If] not there [Pl]ease forward." The letter has flattened folds and light toning; with exceptionally bold ink. Transmittal envelope has been torn open at left, resulting in loss of a few words of Fought's forwarding instructions. The stamp had been cut out.
In part:
"I hope you will excuse the liberty I take in addressing you, I feel myself unable to put in writing the feelings of my heart - since I am - satisfied that the General is gone, and that he really is no more. I tried in every way possible to believe that he had escaped and - that it was a mistake.
But oh God thy will be done. You no doubt know better than I can tell you how I was attached to the Genl., how I idolized him. Indeed no man in the world could ever take his place in my heart and I know you must feel even greater the loss as also the others who have lost their dear and loving friends.
I will not take up your time in a long letter – but at some future time I will write you more fully. I had intended to defer writing until after the meeting of his friends had prepared resolutions and sent to you – But I am unable to wait any longer.
I had a peculiar feeling come over me (and my wife fully remembered what remarks I made regarding the peculiar state of my feelings) on the fatal day. doubtless he thought of me also in his last moments. It seems so hard after all he had went through to be put to death by such Savages. I conversed with him when he was here regarding his expedition, and when he left he called at my office and bode me goodbye and said he was going - and I remarked Genl I fear something will happen to you if you go. And he replied 'Why Fought you have grown cowardly since you have been in the Department. If I did not know you so well I would think you were a coward.'
I expressed my regret at what I had remarked and we shook each other by the hand for the last time.
How I loved that man no one can know. My Dear General will always be before my eyes no matter where or when...My heart is full of sorrow for you.
Very respectfully
Your friend
Jos. Fought."
Custer's body was discovered on June 27, 1876; and as Fought worked at the War Department, it is likely that he was among the first to hear. Fought served in the Regular Army intermittently, first enlisting in 1860 at the age of 14. It is not clear exactly when he began serving under Custer, but there is a December 1863 letter from Custer to Alfred Pleasonton requesting that Fought be allowed to remain on his staff. Fought remained with Custer through the end of the war.
The two men remained in touch, and although Fought's attachment may have been stronger, the loyalty was reciprocated. A letter Custer wrote to the Judge Advocate General in support of Fought on April 11, 1876 evidences this. His letter closed with the following assessment of Fought's character: "If I were called upon to designate the enlisted man who, under my observation rendered the most gallant and efficient service during the war I would name Joseph Fought."
Also included is a news clipping of the "meeting of his friends" referred to in Fought's letter. Per the article, they gathered on a Saturday evening.
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George Custer
Washington, DC, July 10, 1876
Custer's Civil War Bugler Jos. Fought Sends Condolences to Libbie: "the General is gone…he really is no more"
ALS
Joseph Fought ALS to Libbie Custer sending condolences. 6pp on War Department, Judge Advocate General's letterhead, 5" x 8"; Washington DC; July 10, 1876. Joseph Fought writes an anguished letter, expressing grief and disbelief that George Custer had been "put to death by such Savages." Fought had served as Custer's bugler during the Civil War, and his loyalty to the dashing officer extended well beyond his years of service under him. The letter is accompanied by the original transmittal cover addressed to "Mrs. General G. A. Custer / Fort Abraham Lincoln / D.T." He adds a note at bottom left: "[If] not there [Pl]ease forward." The letter has flattened folds and light toning; with exceptionally bold ink. Transmittal envelope has been torn open at left, resulting in loss of a few words of Fought's forwarding instructions. The stamp had been cut out.
In part:
"I hope you will excuse the liberty I take in addressing you, I feel myself unable to put in writing the feelings of my heart - since I am - satisfied that the General is gone, and that he really is no more. I tried in every way possible to believe that he had escaped and - that it was a mistake.
But oh God thy will be done. You no doubt know better than I can tell you how I was attached to the Genl., how I idolized him. Indeed no man in the world could ever take his place in my heart and I know you must feel even greater the loss as also the others who have lost their dear and loving friends.
I will not take up your time in a long letter – but at some future time I will write you more fully. I had intended to defer writing until after the meeting of his friends had prepared resolutions and sent to you – But I am unable to wait any longer.
I had a peculiar feeling come over me (and my wife fully remembered what remarks I made regarding the peculiar state of my feelings) on the fatal day. doubtless he thought of me also in his last moments. It seems so hard after all he had went through to be put to death by such Savages. I conversed with him when he was here regarding his expedition, and when he left he called at my office and bode me goodbye and said he was going - and I remarked Genl I fear something will happen to you if you go. And he replied 'Why Fought you have grown cowardly since you have been in the Department. If I did not know you so well I would think you were a coward.'
I expressed my regret at what I had remarked and we shook each other by the hand for the last time.
How I loved that man no one can know. My Dear General will always be before my eyes no matter where or when...My heart is full of sorrow for you.
Very respectfully
Your friend
Jos. Fought."
Custer's body was discovered on June 27, 1876; and as Fought worked at the War Department, it is likely that he was among the first to hear. Fought served in the Regular Army intermittently, first enlisting in 1860 at the age of 14. It is not clear exactly when he began serving under Custer, but there is a December 1863 letter from Custer to Alfred Pleasonton requesting that Fought be allowed to remain on his staff. Fought remained with Custer through the end of the war.
The two men remained in touch, and although Fought's attachment may have been stronger, the loyalty was reciprocated. A letter Custer wrote to the Judge Advocate General in support of Fought on April 11, 1876 evidences this. His letter closed with the following assessment of Fought's character: "If I were called upon to designate the enlisted man who, under my observation rendered the most gallant and efficient service during the war I would name Joseph Fought."
Also included is a news clipping of the "meeting of his friends" referred to in Fought's letter. Per the article, they gathered on a Saturday evening.
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