On June 11, 1864, at the battle of Trevilian Station, what started as a big win for George Armstrong Custer and his Michigan Brigade, became the biggest and deadliest all-cavalry fight of the Civil War.

One casualty was the Headquarter's wagon, captured by the Confederates, which contained Custer's personal items and the private letters from his wife, Libbie.

These love letters would be printed in Richmond newspapers and read in Southern drawing rooms.

One brave young Union officer would attempt a night-time “raid” to reclaim them…
...

General Blackmar's letter to Libbie Custer can be found in YANKEE magazine, 1969 issue (but it's also online at: http://www.lindapages.com/wvcw/1wvc/1... ).

Most of the illustrations came from The James E. Taylor Sketchbook: With Sheridan Up the Shenandoah Valley in 1864. Others were supplied by friends or found on open source web sites.

Photo credits to Joe Kelly (photo of letters) and Jeffrey Allen Smith (color image of the Michigan Brigade)-- thank you!

This video plays tribute to Little Bighorn author, historian, and generous friend, Bruce Liddic, who remains an inspiration, and helped ignite my passion for Little Bighorn and Seventh Cavalry studies.

If you too have a passion for the 7th Cavalry, please consider joining:
Little Bigorn Associates www.thelbha.com
Custer Battlefield Historical & Museum Association https://custerbattlefield.org
Custer Association of Great Britain www.english-westerners-society.org.uk

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