3629

1ST SARGEANT LOUIS ROTT, LITTLE BIG HORN SURVIVOR,

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
1ST SARGEANT LOUIS ROTT, LITTLE BIG HORN SURVIVOR,
G. A. CUSTER SIGNED 7TH CAVALRY DISCHARGE, 1874. 15.5" x 10" document in 24" x 18" archival frame. Louis Rott after would re-up again in less than a year in January 1875, his re-appointment document is the following lot. Louis Rott was survivor of the "Hilltop Fight" at Little Big Horn and was nominated by his commander Captain E. G. Mathey for Congressional Medal of Honor. Several of his comrades received the medal for identically risking life retrieving water for wounded troopers during the Hilltop fight. This document on vellum is finely written with blue & red calligraphy. Custer signs his name boldly as "Lieutenant Colonel & Brevet Major General USA". This is rarely seen special vellum discharge instead of more commonly encountered paper. Louis Rott (1849-1897) a German emigree from Germany in 1870, joined the 7th US Cavalry in 1872. His campaigns with Custer include the Yellowstone Expedition in 1873, Custer's Black Hills and Big Horn expeditions 1875-1876, and General Miles' 1877 campaign into Big Horn Valley again. He left service in 1878 due to disability at Ft. Rice, Dakota Territory. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: copy of a letter from Gloria Wood who states she is the last living descendant of Sergeant Louis Rott and she consigned this to auction. CONDITION: archival framing not removed, but appears very good, toning to vellum and cracks at folds, dark blue Custer signature. PROVENANCE: from Louis Rott, 7th US Cavalry, descent of family to last surviving member; Gloria B. Wood; Heritage Auctions 2011; Martin Lane Historic & Western Americana Lifetime Collection. (02-21439/JS). $4,000-6,000.