c1871 BOUDIOR Abumen Photo of Likely GEN'L GEORGE A CUSTER on Horse w/ Calvary

Description

CIRCA 1871 ORANGE MOUNT BOUDIOR ALBUMEN PHOTOGRAPH OF UNITED STATES CALVARY LED MOST LIKELY BY GEN'L GEORGE A CUSTER ON HORSE OUT OF FT. RILEY, KANSAS - ON CATTLE RANCH AT MEDICINE LODGE, KANSAS
Group of U.S. Calvary soldiers all donning slouch hats on the plains of Kansas at the Cattle Ranch, Medicine Lodge, Kansas - out from Fort Riley, Kansas.
The soldier on the lead horse out in front of all of the other Calvary soldiers is clearly wearing large WHITE GLOVES and is clearly posed and facing the camera deliberately.  The
GENERAL CUSTER
of Civil War fame liked to have his photos taken.  The man in the photo on offer APPEARS to be none other than
GENERAL GEORGE A. CUSTER,
but this is only our opinion.   You decide as to what you see.   The other Calvary soldiers, primarily the one tugging on a rope on the right - also looks like he is posing in position for the camera and also contributes to the notion that the whole thing is staged.
The Calvary officer on the lead horse in front of all of the other Calvary soldiers has the exact same body configuration as found in known images of
GEORGE A. CUSTER
, plus he is wearing gloves identical to
CUSTER'S
'WHITE signature GLOVES. Who wore LARGE WHITE gloves cattle rustling on the range?    ANY RANGE?
FT.  RILEY was established in 1853, but it was not until AUGUST 1866 that the U.S. CALVARY was established at FT. RILEY KANSAS and it was
GEORGE A. CUSTER
that took command at that time.
The image is identified as "CATTLE RANCH MEDICINE LODGE, KANSAS" - which has newer pencil annotations reading;
"OHIO LAND & CATTLE COMPANY - W F BERRY MANAGER" & "230120 - MRIS" & "6 MILES WEST OF M. (edicine) LODGE"
We could find nothing on the Internet pertaining to "W. F. Berry & Cattle Ranch at Medici9ne Lodge"
The U. S. Calvary though, through the U.S. Govt.  had to purchase cattle and horses from private held companies, as they were not in the business of raising livestock or cattle.
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FORT RILEY was named in honor of Major General Bennet C. Riley, who led the first military escort along the Santa Fe Trail. The fort was established in 1853 as a military post to protect the movement of people and trade over the Oregon, California, and Santa Fe trails. In the years after the Civil War, Fort Riley served as a major United States Cavalry post and school for cavalry tactics and practice. The post was a base for skirmishes with Native Americans after the Civil War ended in 1865, during which time
GEORGE A. CUSTER
was stationed at the FT. RILEY.
Recruits for a regiment of cavalry were concentrated at Fort Riley, Kansas, in August, 1866. The work of organization was inaugurated by Major John W. Davidson, 2d Cavalry, on the 10th September, and completed by Colonel Smith, on the 22d December. The new regiment was first designated in orders as the "Eighth Cavalry," but the figure eight subsequently gave place to the cabalistic number—seven.
Andrew J. Smith, a veteran of the Mexican War, who had been a distinguished cavalry leader in the Army of the West during the Civil War, was promoted colonel of the new regiment.
The first lieutenant colonel was that picturesque cavalryman,
GEORGE A. CUSTER
, who had been one of Sheridan's most trusted division commanders.
The senior major was a soldier of the old school—Alfred Gibbs; the other majors were Wickliffe Cooper and Joel H. Elliott, both young officers of great promise, and with distinguished war records.
Among the captains were, William Thompson, Frederick W. Benteen, Myles W. Keogh, Robert M. West, "Mike" Sheridan, Louis McLane Hamilton and Albert Barnitz.
The roster of lieutenants also showed many well-known names, among them: "Tom"
CUSTER
, brother of the general; W. W. Cooke, H. J. Nowlan, A. E. Smith, "Tom" Weir, Owen Hale, "Sam" Robbins, Myles Moylan, James M. Bell and Henry Jackson.
The regiment remained in Kansas four years and six months, till the beginning of 1872, and during that period performed every kind of duty that could fall to the lot of a trooper, and went through an experience scarcely realizeable to a young soldier of the present day.
Its scouts, marches and expeditions, extended from the Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains; from the Staked Plains of Texas to the Platte River. The summer's sun found it plodding over the arid, dusty plains as escort to commissioners, surveyors and what not, or dashing along in eager pursuit on a fresh Indian trail, and dealing vigorous strokes upon this savage enemy; the winter's snow served as a winding sheet to many of its gallant dead. The theatre of its operations was the scene of many well contested conflicts with its treacherous foe. Two seasons it fought the unseen but virulent enemy—Asiatic cholera. It subsisted for months on food unfit for human consumption, and as a consequence scurvy frequently prevailed among the men, weakening them to such a degree as to invite the more deadly disease—cholera.
This varied and trying service developed officers of determination and endurance, of daring and skill; and at the same time eliminated the "deadwood" which it discovered. The regiment, or fractions of it, demonstrated its esprit on over forty occasions in contest with the Sioux, Cheyennes, Kiowas, Comanches, Apaches, Arapahoes and Dog Soldiers. These began with a skirmish near Fort Lyon, Colorado, on the 13th April, 1867, and practically ended with the battle on the Washita in the Indian Territory on the 27th November, 1868,—although there were several smaller affairs along the Saline and Solomon during the summer of 1869.
Exclusive of the battle of the Washita the losses sustained in action were: killed, 11; wounded, 13; mortally wounded, 4; captured, 1; lost, one; six men were drowned in the performance of duty and fifty-one died of cholera.
The fight on the Washita was perhaps the most vigorously contested, and the most decisive battle ever fought with Indians up to that period, or even since. Eight hundred troopers, and over double that number of Indians were engaged in that encounter.
In addition to Black Kettle's village, which was captured and totally destroyed, there were within five miles of the scene of the battle over six hundred tepees standing along the Washita River during the fight.
CUSTER,
under the cover of night, succeeded in surrounding the village, and as the morning dawned, lighting up the snow-covered valley, a signal—a single shot—rang out clear and distinct in the cold crisp air; the band struck up a stirring regimental air—"Garry Owen"—and the fight was on. Into the village the gallant troopers, cheering lustily, charged from all sides, each vying with his comrade to be first at the death. The fight raged furiously until about three o'clock in the afternoon.
How the regiment acquitted itself is shown in the following order:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI. IN THE FIELD.
Depot on the North Canadian, at the junction of Beaver Creek,
General Field Orders No. 6:
Indian Territory, November 29, 1868.
The Major General Commanding announces to this Command the defeat, by the Seventh Regiment of Cavalry, of a large force of Cheyenne Indians, under the celebrated Chief. Black Kettle, reinforced by the Arapahoes under Little Raven, and the Kiowas under Satanta, on the morning of the 27th instant, on the Washita River, near the Antelope Hills, Indian Territory, resulting in a loss to the savages of one hundred and three warriors killed, including Black Kettle, the capture of fifty-three squaws and children, eight hundred and seventy-five ponies, eleven hundred and twenty-three buffalo robes and skins, five hundred and thirty-five pounds of powder, one thousand and fifty pounds of lead, four thousand arrows, seven hundred pounds of tobacco, besides rifles, pistols, saddles, bows, lariats and immense quantities of dried meat and other winter provisions, the complete destruction of their village, and almost total annihilation of this Indian band.
The loss of the Seventh Cavalry was two officers killed, Major Joel H. Elliott and Captain Louis McL. Hamilton, and nineteen enlisted men; three officers wounded, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel T. W.
CUSTER,
Brevet
Lieutenant Colonel Albert Barnitz (badly) and Second Lieutenant T. J. March (slightly) and eleven enlisted men.
The energy and rapidity shown during one of the heaviest snow storms that has visited this section of country, with the temperature below freezing, and the gallantry and bravery displayed resulting in such signal success, reflect the highest credit upon both the officers and men of the Seventh Cavalry; and the Major General Commanding, while regretting the loss of such gallant officers as Major Elliott and Captain Hamilton, who fell while gallantly leading their men, desires to express his thanks to the officers and men engaged in the battle of the Washita, and his special congratulations are extended to their distinguished commander,
BREVET MAJOR GENERAL GEORGE A. CUSTER
, for the efficient and gallant service rendered, which have characterized the opening of the campaign against hostile Indians south of the Arkansas.
By command of Major General P. H. SHERIDAN,
(Signed) J. SCHUYLER CROSBY,
Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, A. D. C.
Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
The Secretary of War also sent the following telegram which was transmitted to the Regimental Commander:
WASHINGTON CITY, DECEMBER 2, 1868.
Lieutenant General SHERMAN, St. Louis, Mo.:
I congratulate you, Sheridan and
CUSTER,
on the splendid success with which your campaign is begun. Ask Sheridan to send forward the names of officers and men deserving of special mention.
(Signed) JOHN M. SCHOFIELD,
Secretary of War.
GENERAL CUSTER
reported that it was impracticable to comply with the request contained in the closing sentence "for the gratifying reason that every officer and man belonging to the expedition has performed his full part in rendering the movement against the hostile tribes a complete success."
General Sheridan's order, issued upon the receipt of
CUSTER'S
dispatch written immediately after the battle, understates the loss; two officers and twenty-five men were killed, and three officers and twelve men wounded. Two white boys were rescued from the savages. During the engagement a bloodthirsty squaw was seen to murder a bright lad of about ten years by disemboweling him with a knife. In Satanta's abandoned village the bodies of a young white woman and a child were found cruelly mutilated.
A subsequent visit to the battle-field, and investigation among the prisoners and other Indians who were in the fight, disclosed a much greater Indian loss than was first reported. They acknowledged that one hundred and forty warriors were killed, and the number wounded must have swelled the aggregate loss to nearly four hundred.
General Sheridan, who was at Camp Supply, with his characteristic disposition to drive home a preliminary success, ordered
CUSTER
, now reinforced by the 19th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, making a total force of about fourteen hundred men, to resume his operations against the hostiles, hoping by the aid of the biting frost of an unusually cold winter to force them to sue for peace and to return to their reservation.
The limit of this sketch makes it impossible to follow the operations of
CUSTER'S
column; they are full of interest, and of incidents which go to prove his own wonderful energy, daring, pluck and resourcefulness, as well as the esprit, courage, and staying qualities of his officers and men. There was no more fighting Indians; but fighting cold, hunger and obstacles with which nature barred the routes of travel, was even more wearing and destructive to the efficiency of the command. On the march from Supply to Fort Cobb the regiment lost one hundred and twenty-eight horses; the "19th Kansas" one hundred and forty-eight.
Through the capture of Satanta and Lone Wolf, head chiefs of the Kiowas, and a threat to hang them at sunset on a certain day, that tribe was forced to come in and camp on the reservation near Fort Cobb.
By the extraordinary efforts of
CUSTER
with a detachment of two officers and fifty five men, and a march of three hundred and fifty miles, the Arapahoes were located and brought back to their reservation, where they have remained at peace with the whites. The Cheyennes now alone remained obdurate to the peaceful efforts of the Government. They were finally located in Northern Texas. By a well conceived and successfully executed stratagem
CUSTER
captured three or the principal chiefs of the tribe, and by the exercise of great patience and forbearance, Mrs. Morgan and Miss White, two white captives held by them, were delivered to
CUSTER
; and an agreement entered into on the part of the Indians to return to their reservation, and on the part of
CUSTER
to restore to their people the three chiefs and the women and children captured at the Washita. The Indians complied with their part of the contract; and the Government,as far as it was able, fulfilled its stipulation.
With the return of the Cheyennes to their reservation the work of the expedition south of the Arkansas was done. The regiment was withdrawn and the "19th Kansas" mustered out of the service.
The extreme severity of this winter's campaign will be appreciated when it is remembered that
CUSTER
left Camp Supply on the 7th December 1868, with fourteen hundred cavalry, and now, on the 5th March, 1869, his mounted effective strength was reduced to six hundred and fifty men.
General Sheridan in a letter to
CUSTER
said: "I am very much rejoiced at the success of your expedition, and feel proud of our winter's operations and of the officers and men who have borne its privations and hardships so manfully. * * * Give my kind regards to the officers and say how happy I should be to see them should any of them come this way on leave."
Colonel Smith resigned in the spring of 1869, and was succeeded by Brevet Major General S. D. Sturgis, promoted from Lieutenant Colonel 6th Cavalry.
In March, 1871, the regiment was relieved from duty in the Department of the Missouri.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI.
FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS, MARCH 8, 1871.
General Orders NO. 4.
Orders transferring the 7th Cavalry from this Department having been received from Headquarters of the Army, the Commanding General deems it his duty to express to the officers and soldiers of the regiment his high appreciation of their soldierly qualities and of the conspicuous services performed by them in this department.
The regiment carries with it a noble record of faithful services and gallant deeds. During the four years which it has been in this Department it has experienced all of the hardships, dangers and vicissitudes attendant upon military operations on our wild frontier. It has made many long and toilsome marches exposed to the severest storms of winter, and has gone for days in that inclement season without shelter and almost without food for man or animal.
It has been engaged in many bloody combats with the Indians in which its valor has been thoroughly tried and proved. It has met all dangers and privations with firmness and intrepidity and has been distinguished throughout for steady discipline and efficient performance of duty.
The present soldierly condition and high state of discipline of the regiment give assurance that in the new field to which it is ordered it will be distinguished for the same high qualities which have so justly earned for it its brilliant reputation in this command.
With sincere regret the Commanding General sees this regiment leave this Department. It is needless to say that it will carry with it his hearty good wishes and his confident hope that its future will be as successful as its past history.
It will be long remembered in the Department as a model of soldierly discipline and efficiency.
By command of Brigadier General Pope:
(Signed) W. G. MITCHELL,
Brevet Colonel, U. S. A.
Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
The scene now shifts to the Department of the South, where we find the regiment scattered through seven States, serving as a sort of adjunct to the Department of justice, acting as posse comitatus for United States Marshals. This constabulary duty continued for two years, when orders were issued transferring the regiment to Texas. The restless and threatening attitude of the Sioux in the Department of Dakota made it necessary to send cavalry there, and upon the application of General Sheridan the "Seventh's" destination was changed to the Northern Department.
April, 1873, found all the regiment, except the colonel, his staff and two troops, at Yankton, Dakota.
General Sturgis was assigned to station at St. Paul, Minnesota, and Major Reno, with one squadron, was detailed for escort duty with the international commission locating the boundary line between the United States and the British possessions; this squadron remained on this duty until the autumn of 1874.
While detained at Yankton, waiting for wagon transportation, and for the ice to run out of the river, the regiment was introduced to a genuine Dakota blizzard, the worst it experienced during its fourteen years service in the Territory. On the 10th June the regiment reached Fort Rice, and
CUSTER
reported to General D. S. Stanley for duty with the expedition then fitted out for the Yellowstone. This expedition was "designed for the protection of engineering surveyors of the Northern Pacific Railway," and consisted of about fifteen hundred men and two guns.
The column left Fort Rice on the 24th June. On the 4th August
CUSTER
, who had according to his usual custom gone ahead of the main column with one squadron (ninety men), was attacked at a point on the north bank of the Yellowstone River about four miles above the present site of Fort Keogh, Montana, by three hundred Indians.
The Indians, well armed with breech-loading rifles, fought with great stubbornness for three hours and a half. The ammunition of the troops was about exhausted when by a well directed mounted charge the Indians were driven from the field.
One trooper was wounded; the loss among the Indians was heavy, for the troops fought dismounted and under cover, while the Indians charged gallantly within very short range.
The same day the Regimental Sutler, the Veterinary Surgeon and one private were killed by a small party of Indians, while trying to join
CUSTER
from the main column. The trail of a large village was discovered on the 8th, and
CUSTER
was detached with his cavalry and a company of Scouts under Lieutenant D. H. Brush, 17th Infantry, to follow and strike the Indians. The pursuit was begun as soon as night fell and prosecuted with great vigor.
On the morning of the 11th the Indians attacked
CUSTER
while in camp on the Yellowstone, about opposite the mouth of the Big Horn River. A spirited engagement ensued. Lieutenant Braden, who held a prominent point on the left flank with a small detachment while
CUSTER
made his dispositions, was charged by one hundred warrior, the Indians riding to within thirty yards of his dismounted line. He was shot through the thigh bone, but with the most wonderful exhibition of cool nerve maintained his position, and repulsed the daring savages.
On the bluffs south of the river, old men, squaws, and children were seen in large numbers, evidently waiting in fiendish anticipation the time for their brutal part in the drama; but their dusky braves could not face the vigorous charge of the "pony-soldiers." They broke in complete rout, the cavalry pursuing them for eight miles, when they escaped by crossing the Yellowstone.
The regiment lost in this engagement one officer, Lieutenant Charles Braden, and two enlisted men wounded; and one enlisted man killed. Several officers had horses shot under them.
The Indian loss was estimated by
CUSTER
to be forty killed and wounded on the north side, while several were known to have been knocked over on the south bank. There were nine hundred Indians engaged in the attack; this number was afterward verified by the Indians who were present.
GENERAL CUSTER
in his official report of the fight says: "I desire to bear testimony to the good conduct of every man connected with my command, including officers, men and scouts. Where all did so well no special mention can be made."
No Indians were seen during the remainder of the season. The expedition continued the march as far as the Mussel Shell River, whence it returned to Fort A. Lincoln.
General Sheridan in his annual report for 1873 recommended the establishment of a large military post near the base of the Black Hills in order "to secure a strong foothold in the heart of the Sioux country, and thereby exercise a controlling influence over these warlike people." Pursuant to his directions an expedition was organized at Fort A. Lincoln in June, 1874, for the purpose of reconnecting the route from that post to Bear Butte, in the Black Hills, and exploring the country south, southeast, and southwest of that point.
CUSTER
was detailed to command the expeditionary force, which consisted of ten troops of the 7th Cavalry, two companies of infantry and a detachment of scouts; and was directed to return to Fort A. Lincoln, within sixty days. Colonels G. A. Forsyth and Fred Grant of Sheridan's staff accompanied the command; also Captain William Ludlow, C. E., as Engineer Officer.
We are basically selling this as a Western image of Calvary rustling cattle on a cattle ranch in Medicine Lodge, Kansas.
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I
mage measures 3 3/4" x 6 1/8" in size.  C
ard mount
measures 7" x  3 15/16" in size.
Wear throughout consistent with age and use but overall
displays nicely.  Some uniform lightness to image.
Some soiling to mount on front and on verso.   Please see all photos as they are part of the description.
AS SHOWN ABOVE.   SOLD "AS-IS."   NO RETURNS.
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