Sign up to receive email notices of recent acquisitions.

Fort Du Chesne, Utah, 29 January 1887. 6 pp. manuscript in ink, 9.5” x 6”. [With] 9 letters (20 pp. manuscript in ink) by other parties to Dr. Morse Kent, 1868–1887. CONDITION: Very good.

A rare autograph letter by Frederick Benteen, written from Fort DuChesne, Utah Territory in the lead-up to his 1887 court-martial, defending his situation and complaining that “the whole of the Deptmt. of the Platte seemed to have jumped on me in the most vicious manner.”

Frederick Benteen was born in Petersburg, Virginia in 1834 and began his military career during the Civil War, enlisting in the Union Army, to the dismay of his staunchly secessionist father. He afterwards joined the 7th Cavalry as a captain and spent much of the rest of his life in the West, serving “in every Indian campaign which made Custer’s name great as an Indian fighter” despite having little liking or respect for Custer himself, whom he considered an irresponsible braggart (Army and Navy p. 800). Benteen was among the few survivors of the Battle of Little Big Horn, in which he played a controversial part—failing to come to Custer’s aid because he stopped en route to effectively take command of a smaller company led by Major Reno, a decision that saved the lives of about 350 of Reno’s men.

The letter offered here, written eleven years after the battle and just a few months after taking up his new post at Fort DuChesne, Utah Territory, finds Benteen staring down a court-martial on charges of drunkenness while in command of the Fort and “scandalous” behavior, namely, “taking off his clothes, to quarrel with citizens, and exposing his person” while “in the post trader’s store” (Army and Navy p. 794). Benteen’s letter, detailing his side of the story, paints quite a different picture, and requests that his friend, Dr. Morse Kent Taylor, lobby Congressmen in his favor. Having been posted to Fort Du Chesne to transform it from a collection of tents into a permanent structure, Benteen found upon his arrival that

nothing was forwarded by the Ch[ie]f. Q[uarte]r. M[aste]r. of the Dept. on our regular estimates to build the same with, no nails, no lumber no shingles, no lime, no nothing; then how in the name of all that is holy can building be done?

Well, I stood it till forbearance ceased…and then I commenced demanding that the Post be supplied through the Adjutant General of the Department, thus, making everything official; Well, the carrying the war into Africa—as it were, did not suit Major Daudy, Chf. Qr. Mr. of the Dept. 

Now—the Post Trader of Du Chesne is a Government Contractor, and has been engaged in building Robinson & Niobrara, & there is not a doubt in my mind but that there are some officers of the Army around Omaha who get ‘Divvys’—as it were.

No Post Trader is apt to be a very warm friend of mine, for they all know that I look at my commission as a thing that is holy…if a P.T. can make any money in the prosecutions of his business, why, all well and good, but he can’t shave the men, nor can he steal from Uncle Sam; this state of affairs didn’t suit Geo. H. Jewett—and his partners. So, Major Benteen was to be relieved from command of the Post, which was done, and his inveterate enemy Col. Hatch, 9th Cav sent here to investigate and report on Benteen’s conduct…

The last “charge” that Benteen mentions against himself is that of “conduct unbecoming”—a reference not to his intoxication but to what he claims is a false allegation that he published a newspaper article in the Kansas City Times, evidently alleging the corruption he discusses earlier (“Well,” he comments, “the article was only too true, but I’m sorry that I do not know the author”). He concludes by telling Taylor:

You can help by writing at once to any Senator or Congressman that you know, and tell them what you know of me, and tell them to help me with General Sheridan, Sec’y of War & the President. It is the Deptmt. Hd. Qrs. that is doing the devillry [sic] against me…but Dr., dear, they have struck a snag…and should wonder if they cried Peccavi [i.e., “I have sinned”]! before I am through with them.

Benteen’s sentence would ultimately be commuted by President Grover Cleveland himself, “in view of his long and honourable service and the reputation he has earned for bravery and soldierly qualities,” and instead of receiving a dishonourable discharge he was suspended for one year at half pay, after which he retired (Army and Navy p. 800). He died in Atlanta in 1898.

Benteen manuscript material is scarce in the trade, with Rare Book Hub recording just one autograph letter, signed, at auction.

A spirited letter from one of the most controversial participants in the Battle of Little Big Horn, written from Utah Territory in the lead-up to the court-martial that, combined with subsequent health problems, ended his military career.

REFERENCES: Army and Navy Journal, April 30, 1887; “Capt. Frederick Benteen” at National Park Service online.

Item #10201

Price: $9,500.00