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Background
Over 90% of Custer's 7th Cavalry bought tobacco - mostly to chew, or smoke in pipes, and some even, to use as snuff. About 20% of those buying tobacco, however, did not chew or smoke or sniff it. Instead they used the product as a means of barter with those who would consume it, or between paydays, in lieu of cash. Everyone but the 7th's officers, in fact, was entitled by law to buy at cost, from the U.S. government, up to one pound per month of tobacco. Tobacco rations were for enlisted soldiers only - the none-too-fine point being, that tobacco use alleviated hunger, fatigue, and boredom. As of 1876, the date of this muster roll, that cost was $1.14 per pound - though within the regiment, between soldiers, its value could go higher.
Cigars, incidentally, were not part of the 7th's informal economy. They were quite expensive and were, in all likelihood, enjoyed chiefly by the officer class (Col. Marcus Reno, for instance, was a heavy smoker of them). In any case, their use is not reflected on these tobacco allotment ration rolls. Interestingly, Custer did not chew, or smoke, or sniff. Nothing, he said, could induce him to use tobacco. It was, he thought, a filthy habit.
Sgt. Maj. William H. Sharrow, listed on this tobacco allottment, died in close proximity to Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn acting, for part of it, as Custer's messenger. But two of the other NCOs on this tobacco allotment had, mercifully, much better luck: both Chief Musician Felix Vinatiere, and Saddler Sergeant John G. Tritten, were on detached service, as of June 14, 1876. Thus they missed dying with Custer, by a mere 11 days.
Physical Description
Document Signed ("G.A. Custer"), as Lt. Col., partially printed and accomplished in manuscript; 1 page, folio, Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, August 1, 1875. Being the “Tobacco Return” for the Non-Commissioned Staff of the Seventh Regiment of US Cavalry, for the month of August 1875.
Also bearing the signatures of WILLIAM WINER COOKE (1846 - 1876) - First Lieutenant, Staff; killed with Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn - and ALGERNON EMORY SMITH (1842 – 1876) - First Lieutenant, Company A, United States 7th Cavalry; killed with Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn
all pages and transcript
Page 1/2
TOBACCO RETURN of N. C. Staff [text is crossed out], Seventh Regiment of Cavalry, for the month of August, 1875.
NAMES. OUNCES OF TOBACCO. COST. cts.
Sergt Maj. Wm H. Sharrow 16 46
Q. M. Sergt. Jno. F. Pessauer 16 46
Chief Music Felix Vinatieri 16 46
Saddler Sergt. Jno. G. Tritten 16 46
NAMES. OUNCES OF TOBACCO. COST. cts.
Amount brought forward ...............
Amount carried forward ...............
NAMES. OUNCES OF TOBACCO. COST. cts.
Amount brought forward ..............
TOTAL AMOUNT ...............
Total Amount [text is crossed out] ............... 64.
I CERTIFY that the above is a correct return of tobacco required by the enlisted men of N. C. Staff [text is crossed out], Seventh Regiment of Cavalry, for the month of August , 1875.
(SIGNED IN DUPLICATE) W. W. COOKE
1st Lieut [text is crossed out] [...] Adjt. [text is crossed out] 7th Reg't of Cavalry
Commanding [text is crossed out]. N. C. S.
Approved in duplicate:
GA CUSTER
Lieut. Col. 7th Reg't of Cavalry
Commanding Post.
RECEIVED, Fort Abraham Lincoln D T. , this 1st day of August, 1875, of 1st Lieutenant A.E. Smith , 7th Regiment of Cavalry , A. A. C. S., Four (4) pounds and -- ounces of tobacco, in full of the above return ; said tobacco to be issued by me to the above-named men, and to be charged against them, respectively, on the muster and pay rolls of the Company for the months of July and August , 1875.
(SIGNED IN DUPLICATE.) W. W. COOKE
1st Lieut. [text is crossed out] [...] Adjt. [text is crossed out] 7th Reg't of Cavalry Commanding [text is crossed out] NCS.
NOTE.--On this Return will be entered the name of each enlisted man of the Company who desires tobacco, and opposite each the quantity he wishes to purchase.
Page 2/2
No. 21
TOBACCO RETURN
In the month of August , 1875.
A E. Smith
1st Lieut. 7 Regt. of Cavalry A. A. C. S.
---------------------
I CERTIFY that on the Tobacco Return I have issued to [text is crossed out] 1st Lieut W. W. Cooke, Adjt of Cav for NCS. [text is crossed out] , 7th Reg't of Cavalry.
FOUR
pounds ------- ounces of tobacco at forty six (46) cents per pound.
A. E. SMITH
1st Lieut. 7th Reg't of Cavalry A. A. C. S.