McKinlay's Union soldier archive to auction for $24,000?

An archive of materials belonging to Robert McKinlay, a Union soldier who was present at the surrender of General Robert E Lee, will cross the block at Early American History Auctions.

The 10-item lot is valued at $18,000-24,000 ahead of the October 25 sale.

Custer address
Custer led the Third Cavalry Division to victory during the US civil war

Private McKinklay fought under General Custer's Third Cavalry Division.

His archive includes a transcript of an 1865 Custer speech to his troops, which reads in part: "Your commanding general avails himself of this, his first opportunity, to express to you his admiration of the heroic manner in which you have passed through the series of battles, which to-day resulted in the surrender of the enemy's entire army.

"The record established by your indomitable courage, is unparalleled in the annals of war. Your prowess has won for you even the respect and admiration of your enemies�Ǫ

"You have never lost a gun - never lost a color - and have never been defeated."

Other artefacts include a bible annotated with notes on battle operations, a timeline of the war and Custer's carte de visite - which is inscribed "Presented to Robert McKinley June 7th 1865 by Brevet Major General George A Custer Commanding 3rd Cavalry - as a fare well momento."

We have an amazing collection of memorabilia in our store, including these fragments of wallpaper from Abraham Lincoln's bedroom.

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