Custer Battlefield Map and Report

"[Map in Report] Custer's Battle-Field (June 25th 1876)... [bound in] Report of the Secretary of War; Being Part of the Message and Documents Communicated to the Two Houses of Congress ... Volume II. Part III", Maguire, Lieut. Edward

An excellent terrain map of the scene of Custer's defeat that was made shortly after the infamous massacre of the 7th Cavalry. Maguire was attached to a column that came to Reno's rescue and upon departure of the hostile Indians he proceeded to the scene of the disaster. Drawn by Sergeant Charles Becker, the map details the area, locates the graves of 12 fallen soldiers and officers, including Lt. Col. Custer. Locates the Indian Village, the course of the Little Big Horn River, Reno's skirmish line and much more of interest. In his 6-page report accompanying the map (together as Appendix OO in the volume), Maguire's comments are most elucidating on several levels, including "The Indians are the best irregular cavalry in the world, and are superior in horsemanship and marksmanship to our soldiers, besides being better armed…" A remarkable map of a most historic event.

Maguire's report is still bound into the complete 755 page Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers. There are a number of other notable reports in this volume including Wheeler’s report of the U.S. Geographical Surveys West of the 100th Meridian (with numerous maps), Ludlow’s Reconnaissance to the Yellowstone (with 3 maps), and Ruffner’s reconnaissance in Colorado and New Mexico (with 1 map). Ocatvo, rebound in brown cloth with gilt title on spine.

References: Wheat (TMW) #1266.

Condition: B+

Maps are very good with light toning and the occasional short binding tear. Text is also lightly toned with minor old tape repairs to the first few pages and a couple loose pages near the end of the volume. Modern binding is near fine.