Custer George George Armstrong Custer West Point ALS, Re: the "Single Life", "Being an Old Maid" or "Entering a Convent"Four pages of a bifolium, 5" x 8.25". Dated "West Point, N.Y. Feb 3r,/59". Signed by George Armstrong Custer TWICE as "Armstrong". (Once at the end of the letter, and a second time at the end of the post script). An outstanding autograph letter by a young George Armstrong Custer who was 19 years old at the time he wrote this letter to Minnie St. John, a young woman from Monroe, Michigan where Custer lived with his half-sister and her husband prior to entering the United States Military Academy. Writing as a cadet part way through his five year education at West Point, where he would notoriously finish at the bottom of his class. Custer writes mostly of their mutual acquaintances, Minnie's health, and harshly questions Minnie's apparent assertion that she shall remain single."I cannot tell whether you are really in earnest when you say that you never intend to get married or whether you are just 'talking' but I believe you are talking. I do not think you have any idea of leading a 'single life.' I know you would not want to be called an 'old maid,' would you? I know if I was a young lady sooner than be an 'old maid' I would enter a convent and I would prefer suicide before the convent." A few spots of tiny stains, else near fine with expected folds. Accompanied by the mailing envelope which is torn and grubby, and a separately typed transcript of his letter.A revealing and insightful inside look at this future General. The letter is shown in full below:"West Point, NY Barracks — Feb 3rd/59 My dear Minnie, Your welcome and interesting letter was received on the first and I was very much pleased with it with three exceptions. The first was hearing of your sickness. I hope that when this reaches you it will find you entirely recovered and in the full enjoyment of health I shall be very sorry to hear that your voice was impaired in the least respect; as I hope to hear you sing some of those old songs I used to hear you sing when I was in the "city of Flowers," the remembrance of which, even now, often aids me to pass a lonely hour pleasantly. The second (exception) [page two] is the sickness of Charlie H -- but I hope that his disease will hot prove fatal and that I may yet meet him and talk of old times, .... The third is that you say that you are never going to get married, now as a general rule we can never tell when you ladies are in earnest, because you do not mean the half of what you say. I cannot tell whether you are really in earnest when you say that you never intend to get married or whether you are just "talking" but I believe you are talking. I do not think you have any idea of leading a "single life." I know you would not want to be called an "old maid," would you? I know if I was a young lady sooner than be an "old maid" [page three] I would enter a convent and I would prefer suicide before the convent. I would go so far as to do like Miss Libbie Thurber, marry an old widower though a younger one would be preferable. I will try and convince you of that "folly of your ways' when I come to Monroe this summer but I believe you know better. I was very much surprised to hear of Libbie Thurber marrying Talcott Wing who is old enough to be her father. I thought that she was engaged to Henry Lowdon. I suppose that she believes in the old saying that "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" but I must say I do not approve her taste I think Lottie had better stop her flirting or she [page four] will get as good a name as Kelly if she has not got it already. ... I think Charlie might have done better than to choose Lizzie Heaff as a "sweetheart." Does Henry Noble live in Monroe now? Where is Henry Sly now. Tell him that Norman Hall will graduate next June and that he (Henry) could get the appointment to this place if he wished to come here, ..... We have had very fine weather here for a week or two until last night. It snowed and made it appear like winter again. I am anxious for Spring to come again as it is only about five months until I visit Monroe. Minnie do you sing in the choir now? What month will the Spring term of the Seminary close? Now I hope you will write a long letter and give me all the news about the young folks of Monroe and change your mind about marrying — will you be in Monroe next Summer"' Hoping to hear from you very soon. I remain your true friend and---- Armstrong [postscript] Excuse this envelope we are not allowed to have anything. Armstrong " [NOTE: Dots within the text [....] are in Custer's hand. No text is excluded from the above.]This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!