[CUSTER, Elizabeth (1842-1933)]. -- [GODFREY, Edward Settle (1843-1932)]. General George A. Custer and the Battle of the Little Bighorn. New York: The Century Co., 1921.

PRESENTATION COPY SIGNED BY ELIZABETH CUSTER TIPPED IN. [With:] GODFREY. Autograph letter signed.

8vo. Photographic plates. (Minor toning.) Original stiff brown wrappers (adhesive residue along wrappers near spine).

Reprint edition of Godfrey's article for Century Magazine, published on the occasion of the forty-fifth anniversary of the battle. A fine example of the repeated attempt by Elizabeth Custer to control her deceased husband's historical legacy. Evidently, Elizabeth ordered a number of copies of the article and sent it to an unknown number of historical societies and individuals. INSCRIBED BY ELIZABETH CUSTER on the title page: "To the New Hampshire Historical Society," with a printed paste-down describing the gift and signed, "Elizabeth B. Custer."
[With:] CUSTER, Elizabeth B. Autograph note signed ("Elizabeth B. Custer"), to the New Hampshire Historical Society. New York, [1921]. 5 3/4 x 3 1/2 in. pasted down to inner wrapper of the booklet. Addressed to the Society explaining that the article was written by "General E.S. Godfrey - an officer in my husband's regiment - who participated in the fight."

[Also with:] GODFREY, Edward Settle (1843-1932). Autograph letter signed ("E.S. Godfrey"), to Captain George E. Albee (1845-1918). Cookstown, NJ, 19 February 1917. 2 pages, 4to, with transmittal envelope, old creases, envelope toned.

Written to fellow veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, George E. Albee, with regrets that they were in Washington at the same time but did not see one another. Albee was a veteran of the Civil War and the late Indian Wars, receiving the Medal of Honor after action at Brazos River, Texas. A graduate of West Point, Godfrey joined the 7th U.S. Cavalry as a lieutenant and was a survivor of the Battle of Little Bighorn, writing extensively about the battle in later years. he received the Medal of Honor for his command at the Battle of Bear Paw Mountain in which he was severely wounded. He retired from the Army as a brigadier general after serving in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War.

The Forrest Fenn Collection

[CUSTER, Elizabeth (1842-1933)]. -- [GODFREY, Edward Settle (1843-1932)]. General George A. Custer and the Battle of the Little Bighorn. New York: The Century Co., 1921.