GEORGE CUSTER WRITES TO CAVALRY GENERAL WESLEY MERRITT FOUR WEEKS BEFORE APPOMATTOX: “NOT AN ARMED REBEL HAS BEEN SEEN SOUTH OF THE SOUTH ANNA. I WOULD HAVE NO TROUBLE IN GOING WITHIN CANNON RANGE OF RICHMOND”

GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER (1839-1876). Custer was a nineteenth-century American Army General who died in the Battle of Little Bighorn, sometimes referred to as “Custer’s Last Stand”.

WESLEY MERRITT (1836-1910).  Merritt was a Civil War general who served in the cavalry.  He was second-in-command to Sheridan during the Appomattox Campaign and was one of several commissioners at the Appomattox surrender.  He was later the Military Governor of the Philippines.

ALS. 1pg. 4” x 6 ½”. March 14, 1865. Headquarters.  An autograph letter signed “G A Custer BMG” addressed to General Wesley Merritt.  Custer wrote in pencil on yellow paper: “Hdqrs 3rd Div Cav Mar 14 / 65 Ground Squirrel Bridge 4:35 PM Genl Merritt Chf of Cav My advance is without doubt in Ashland before this time. One detachment of my command has been within eleven miles of Richmond on the Ry Road and not an armed rebel has been seen south of the South Anna. I would have no trouble in going within cannon range of Richmond.  Very Respectfully G A Custer B.M.G. [Brevet Major General]”.  Custer’s boldness and braggadocio are evident in this letter.  Ground Squirrel Bridge was a crossing point over the South Anna River.  By Custer advancing, he was severing Lee’s supply line, the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad, from the north.  General Merritt was Custer’s immediate superior and a fellow “Boy General.”  Apparently, they had a bit of a competitive rivalry as Custer brags about his proximity to the Confederate capital.  The paper is thin, there is a chip in the left margin that touches two words, and a red penciled “R” on the verso.  A terrific piece of Civil War history from one of the most flamboyant generals ever.