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Having served with distinction at Gettysburg, General George Custer was dispatched in 1876 to join General George Crook in teaching the powerful Sioux a lesson. Always impetuous, and without waiting for reinforcements, Custer divided his 700 men into three batallions. His small force of 265 men found themselves surrounded by 2500 warriors under the command of Chiefs Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.....you know the rest.
Shown here is a Commemorative Cover, an envelope with a cancellation that freezes a time (June 25 - the day of the battle) and a place (Crow Agency, Montana - near the Sioux encampment on the Little Big Horn.) In the case of a Commemorative Cover, the stamp is immaterial; the only reason it is there is because the Post Office will not cancel unless there is current postage.
The cachet (artwork on the envelope) shows the battle with the flamboyant Custer in the middle on his knees. This is from a painting by Mort Kuntsler, the legendarday painter of historical events.
Matted in blue, it's sized to fit a standard 8 x 10 picture frame. ***A short commentary on Custer's Last Stand is included***
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