Jos. Fought to G. Custer ALS Shows Devotion His Troops Had
George Custer
Chester, South Carolina, August 29, [1866]
Jos. Fought to G. Custer ALS Shows Devotion His Troops Had
ALS
[George A. Custer]. Joseph Fought ALS to George A. Custer. 4pp, 4.9" x 7.9"; Chester, South Carolina; August 29, [1866]. Fought, who had served as Custer's bugler during the Civil War, writes asking for help in transferring out of his assignment in the 5th Cavalry. Fought remained with the regiment after the Civil War, and was currently serving in South Carolina, but hoped to return to serve under Custer, "even as a private." He signs, "Joseph Fought / 1st Sergt Co ‘L' / 5th Cavalry." With flattened folds and a few stray ink stains. Otherwise very good.
Fought's phonetic spelling and lack of punctuation can be challenging to read, but the overall content speaks to the same message. He wishes to return to service under Custer, who he addresses with his war-time rank of "General." Although Fought's story is well-known, mainly through his own telling, there is little documentation of his actual service record. The Civil War Database does not list an enlistment or discharge date for him.
His letter reads, in large part:
"I again take pleasher in writing these few lines to you & learn if posible where you are. I have writen several letters to you but can yet get no answer to even one of them I don't hope you have intierly forgotten me Dear General you knew me and I don't hope you have come to that crissis now for I have done nothing to be treated so by you. Dear Genl you know that I think more of you then eny living man in this world I have done every thing in my power for you when war was raging & you then promised me that you would see to me when the war is over and you know my circumstances I have a mother & family to suport…I have been doing very well in the service so far & have learnt a heap there is nothing in thelove of Company papers on every thing pertaining to Co matters that I don't know I have been firs sergeant of Company ‘L' 5th Cavly for some time since December 65 & have ben in that position ever since & have done my duty promptly…2nd Lieut J.W. Walsh he is abusive & t[?] where there is no cause for that…I want to get away from this Co. if it is possible for you to do any thing for me I hope you will let me know in your ancer. Dear Genl if you get a command any where I hope you will do all in your power to get me there. Even as a private I would be satisfied…I cant tell wether you will get this or not as I have nevr had any anser to my letters from you yet I will again beg of you General please anser this letter…Please remember me to Mrs Custer also to Mr Bacon & family & Mr Tom."
Custer had been appointed lieutenant colonel of the newly formed 7th Cavalry on July 28, 1866, the month before this letter is written. This letter was part of Libbie Custer's papers, and although it is not known if Custer did anything to help Fought, there are letters cited in articles that confirm the men remained in contact – though the attachment was stronger on Fought's side. Fought was born in 1846, and at the close of the war he was still a teenager. Custer was also a young man, but the adulation expressed by Fought is in keeping with the celebrity the dashing officer enjoyed as a result of his heroic service.
Evidence of the men's relationship is documented in a letter Custer wrote to the Judge Advocate General in support of Fought on April 11, 1876. 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."
Reference: "George Custer and Joseph Fought" at smallbutimportantriots.com.
This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous
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George Custer
Chester, South Carolina, August 29, [1866]
Jos. Fought to G. Custer ALS Shows Devotion His Troops Had
ALS
[George A. Custer]. Joseph Fought ALS to George A. Custer. 4pp, 4.9" x 7.9"; Chester, South Carolina; August 29, [1866]. Fought, who had served as Custer's bugler during the Civil War, writes asking for help in transferring out of his assignment in the 5th Cavalry. Fought remained with the regiment after the Civil War, and was currently serving in South Carolina, but hoped to return to serve under Custer, "even as a private." He signs, "Joseph Fought / 1st Sergt Co ‘L' / 5th Cavalry." With flattened folds and a few stray ink stains. Otherwise very good.
Fought's phonetic spelling and lack of punctuation can be challenging to read, but the overall content speaks to the same message. He wishes to return to service under Custer, who he addresses with his war-time rank of "General." Although Fought's story is well-known, mainly through his own telling, there is little documentation of his actual service record. The Civil War Database does not list an enlistment or discharge date for him.
His letter reads, in large part:
"I again take pleasher in writing these few lines to you & learn if posible where you are. I have writen several letters to you but can yet get no answer to even one of them I don't hope you have intierly forgotten me Dear General you knew me and I don't hope you have come to that crissis now for I have done nothing to be treated so by you. Dear Genl you know that I think more of you then eny living man in this world I have done every thing in my power for you when war was raging & you then promised me that you would see to me when the war is over and you know my circumstances I have a mother & family to suport…I have been doing very well in the service so far & have learnt a heap there is nothing in thelove of Company papers on every thing pertaining to Co matters that I don't know I have been firs sergeant of Company ‘L' 5th Cavly for some time since December 65 & have ben in that position ever since & have done my duty promptly…2nd Lieut J.W. Walsh he is abusive & t[?] where there is no cause for that…I want to get away from this Co. if it is possible for you to do any thing for me I hope you will let me know in your ancer. Dear Genl if you get a command any where I hope you will do all in your power to get me there. Even as a private I would be satisfied…I cant tell wether you will get this or not as I have nevr had any anser to my letters from you yet I will again beg of you General please anser this letter…Please remember me to Mrs Custer also to Mr Bacon & family & Mr Tom."
Custer had been appointed lieutenant colonel of the newly formed 7th Cavalry on July 28, 1866, the month before this letter is written. This letter was part of Libbie Custer's papers, and although it is not known if Custer did anything to help Fought, there are letters cited in articles that confirm the men remained in contact – though the attachment was stronger on Fought's side. Fought was born in 1846, and at the close of the war he was still a teenager. Custer was also a young man, but the adulation expressed by Fought is in keeping with the celebrity the dashing officer enjoyed as a result of his heroic service.
Evidence of the men's relationship is documented in a letter Custer wrote to the Judge Advocate General in support of Fought on April 11, 1876. 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."
Reference: "George Custer and Joseph Fought" at smallbutimportantriots.com.
This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
