DEATH OF GEN. CUSTER AT THE BATTLE OF LITTLE BIGHORN.


Holograph Manuscript, transcription of a telegram from Richard C. Drum regarding losses at Little Bighorn, 1 p, 4to (264 x 190 mm), Chicago, IL, July 8, 1876, on Military Division of the Missouri letterhead, light toning, stain from clip at upper margin.OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTION OF TELEGRAM DESCRIBING THE AFTERMATH OF CUSTER'S LAST STAND. This document records in official format and forwards to Washington DC a telegram from Assistant Adjutant General Richard C. Drum to General E.D. Townsend. In part: "The bodies of officers killed in Custer's fight were buried on the field and the graves marked. With the means at hand it was simply impossible to bring the bodies in to the Yellowstone, even subsistence had to be thrown away to get transportation to bring in the wounded." The Battle of Little Bighorn was a decisive victory for the combined forces of the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. General Custer, two of his brothers, his nephew and brother-in-law all perished along with 261 other troops. In the wake of this devastating loss, this telegram informs military leaders in Washington that the bodies of the officers killed had to be buried on the field of battle, as there was no way to remove them safely.