Boots and Saddles, or Life in Dakota with General Custer.

CUSTER, Elizabeth B.

$150.00

Item Number: 145222

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1885.

First edition of Elizabeth Custer’s memoir. Octavo, original publisher’s pictorial brown cloth decorated and stamped in black and gilt with gilt titles to the spine and front panel, gilt embellishments of a rising sun and bugle to the front panel, tissue-guarded frontispiece portrait of George Armstrong Custer, outline map of portions of Montana and Dakota. In near fine condition. A bright example.

This is the story of Elizabeth B. Custer told in her own words. She was not only a housewife on the Plains; she was whatever the occasion demanded: nurse to a group of frostbitten soldiers; any-hour-of-the-day hostess to the regiment, since her husband was not fond of entertaining; the garrison’s favorite confidante (and many an interesting story she has to tell); and would-be Indian fighter whenever the women of the regiment had to be left alone. Boots and Saddles also offers a gentle, loving portrait of George Armstrong Custer, husband and man, by the person who knew him best. Elizabeth Custer’s absolute devotion to him is revealed in every line of her story, which ends, appropriately enough, with the day on which she received the news of the disaster at Little Big Horn.