Beschreibung:

CUSTER, GEORGE ARMSTRONG, Brigadier General. Autograph letter signed ("GACuster Bvt Maj. Genl. USA"), to Michigan Governor Austin Blair ("His Excellency"), Headquarters Third Division, Cavalry Corps, 9 December 1864. 2 full pages, large 4to, integral blank, on lined stationery with printed Headquarters heading on first page, clean one- inch tear at a horizontal fold, otherwise in very good condition. [ with ] Carte-de-visite portrait photograph, n.d., without photographer's imprint, l00 x 63mm. (4 x 2 1/2 in.), slightly faded, showing Custer with neat short hair, with General's shoulder bars. CUSTER RECOMMENDS A COMMANDER OF HIS OLD REGIMENT, THE 5TH MICHIGAN CAVALRY Custer, whose rise through the ranks was truly meteoric, had commanded the 5th Michigan Cavalry since June 29th, through the Gettysburg and Virginia campaigns, and under Philip Sheridan during the Shenandoah Valley campaign. In recognition of his brilliant leadership, Sheridan had personally asked Grant to promote Custer to Major General and he was placed at the head of the Third Division of the Cavalry Corps on October 2, l864. Colonel Russell A. Alger had been assigned command of Custer's beloved regiment, but had resigned his commission on September 20, l864. "A vacancy existing in the Colonelcy of the 5th Mich[igan] Cav[alry and it being important that this vacancy shall be filled soon, I beg leave to recommend to your Excellency for this appointment Major Hastings of the 5th Cavalry. Major Hastings has commanded the regiment a longer period than any other officer under my command, during the time he has held this command he has participated in most of the battles and skirmishes of the spring campaign [of the Army of the Potomac] and in all of the battles recently fought in the [Shenandoah] Valley on every occasion he has behaved with such gallantry as to reflect the highest credit upon himself and regiment. His discipline in camp compares well with his conduct in the field and in the face of the enemy. After a thorough and intimate acquaintance with the Officers of the Michigan Brigade I can assure your Excellency that you can entrust the command of the 5th Mich[igan] to no one who would be superior to Major Hastings in any of the qualifications which mark a good commander. I am confident also that it is the general desire of the officers of the regiment that Major Hastings should receive the commission of Colonel. "I would also strongly urge upon your Excellency the importance and necessity of filling up the 5th Mich[igan] Cav[alry], as I believe it is now below the minimum strength requisite for the muster of a Colonel...." The man Custer lauds so highly, Smith Hugh Hastings, had, like Custer, risen rapidly through field promotions. He had served in the Union army since the earliest actions of the war, suffered a severe wound in the battle of Trevillion Station and participated in Sheridan's Valley campaign. At age 2l, the young major had commanded the 5th Regiment in many actions; he was then too young to be made a Colonel. Happily, Custer's enthusiastic letter of recommendation had its desired effect and Hastings was promoted to Colonel. Additional biographical details on Hastings are included with the lot.