WESTERN AMERICANA | Indian Wars | Photography 293 Lieutenant James Calhoun & Colonel Charles Varnum, Cabinet Photograph Albumen cabinet card by Fitzgibbon, St. Louis, of James Calhoun seated wearing a 21st US Infantry kepi and Charles Varnum standing in profile wearing his kepi. Both men are noted for their service under Gen. George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn James Calhoun (1845-1876) was born into a wealthy Cincinnati family but enlisted in the Union Army in 1864 against the wishes of his parents. After the war, he was given a commission as second lieutenant in the 32nd US Infantry, and met Margaret Custer, sister of the famous general, while on assignment at Fort Hays, Kansas. Upon their marriage, Gen. Custer gave his new brother-in-law a promotion to first lieutenant in Co. C, 7th US Cavalry. Lt. Calhoun was in temporary command of Co. L when he was killed at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Charles Varnum (1849-1936) was born to John Varnum, a Civil War major and later Florida politician who secured his son an appointment to the United States Military Academy. Upon graduation in 1872, the younger Varnum was commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned to Co. A of the 7th US Cavalry. He was in command of the scouts before Little Bighorn but happened to be with Benteen and Reno during the fighting and survived the battle. Varnum saw further action in the Nez Perce War and other Indian engagements and was awarded the Medal of Honor for directing the withdrawal of troops at White Clay Creek the day after Wounded Knee. He was the last surviving officer present at Little Bighorn when he died in 1936. John Painter Collection of American Indian & Western Photography $1,000 - $1,500
294 Lieutenant James Calhoun & Wife Margaret Custer, with Lt. Henry Moore Harrington, Cabinet Photograph Albumen cabinet card by E.E. Henry, Leavenworth, KS, showing Lt. James Calhoun (at left) and his wife Margaret Custer, sister of Gen. George Armstrong Custer, with Lt. Henry Moore Harrington and his wife Grace Berard. Both officers were killed at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Henry Moore Harrington (1849-1876) graduated from West Point in 1872 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in Co. C, 7th US Cavalry, ranking just below Lt. Varnum. He was with the company when it was wiped out at Little Bighorn but his body was never found. John Painter Collection of American Indian & Western Photography $1,000 - $1,500
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JUNE 12, 2015 CINCINNATI, OHIO
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