Custer, George Armstrong | Custer attacks Andrew Johnson and advocates for Black suffrage

Custer, George Armstrong

Autograph letter signed ("GA Custer | Lt Col 7th Cav | Brvt MajGenl") to to Senator Jacob M. Howard of Michigan

3 1/4 pages (249 x 198 mm) on 2 leaves of blue-ruled paper, Fort Riley Kansas, 26 December 1866, file docket and number stamp (333) on last page; final page lightly soiled.

The "Boy General" tries to salvage his nascent political career, excoriating the lenient Reconstruction policies of Andrew Johnson and advocating for "impartial suffrage" for African American men.

Major General (Brevet) George Armstrong Custer mustered out of the U.S. volunteer service and considered his options for the future. The possibilities certainly included a return to military service in the Regular Army, but they also encompassed a potential run for the House of Representatives from Michigan.

Custer positioned himself as a moderate and helped start the Soldiers and Sailors Union in response to the highly partisan Grand Army of the Republic. He attended the National Union Convention, which was held in Philadelphia, 14–16 August 1866, and was intended to encourage political support for President Andrew Johnson, who had angered both the moderate and radical wings of the Republican Party with his Reconstruction policies.

Shortly after the Philadelphia convention, Custer was part of Johnson’s Swing Around the Circle train tour, during which Johnson and other speakers defended his conciliatory policy towards the South and touted his preferred candidates (usually Democrats) for the looming mid-term election. This led to speculation that Custer’s appointment, 28 July 1866, as lieutenant colonel of the newly created 7th Cavalry Regiment was made in order to secure his participation in the “Swing Around the Circle.” Ultimately, the tour proved a disaster, with Johnson facing increasingly hostile crowds and frequently losing his composure.

In the present letter to one of his political mentors, Senator Jacob M. Howard of Michigan, Custer has clearly taken note of the shifting political winds and attempts to distance himself from Johnson and his policies, while still advocating for African American suffrage:

"Enclosed you will find copies of correspondence with Gen Alger and Col McReynolds [not present] which I hope you will read carefully and judge accordingly. I assure you I have been misjudged although I will admit I have given past grounds. I have never been the supporter of Mr. Johnsons policy as represented. On the contrary I have always condemned his unlimited exercise of the pardoning power as well as the conferring of political power upon leading rebels. I attended the Phil Convention not to support Mr. Johnson or his policy but with the hope that there would be announced a plan upon which Congress & the President might unite. As soon as I saw the uses made of the movement by Copperheads and peace men who hoped thereby to regain their former power I turned my head upon the movement and in the only section where I endeavored to exercise an influence, my own Dist, I was decided and outspoken against the Johnson Candidacy and supported Hon. F. C. Becusse(?), and as I believe increased the latters majority by no inconsiderable number of votes. If it has been stated that the President gave me my appointment as Lt Col in the regular Army this is an error. I am indebted to Andrew Johnson for nothing. My appointment was decided upon by the Sec of War & Genl Grant without the knowledge or advice of the President, and before I had taken many part in political affairs. This can be verified by the Sec of War. I am opposed to the idea of general Amnesty, believing amnesty should never be granted to the leaders so far as political power is concerned. I would grant the right of suffrage to the colored men but would prefer the method of impartial suffrage rather than universal suffrage. I trust you will give this and accompanying papers your favorable consideration and believe me. …”

Custer's miscalculations proved fatal to his political ambitions. He ended up alienating both Johnson and Ulysses S. Grant, who succeeded him in the White House. Custer remained with the 7th Cavalry until its encounter with a combined war party of Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho along the Little Bighorn River, 25–26 June 1876.