Letters from Readers

Dear Editor,

The book Rigby: A Grand Tradition, by Calabi, Helsley and Sanger contains a surprising addendum to the western trip of the Irish riflemen recounted by Jim Foral in the Spring issue #125, of The Black Powder Cartridge News.

On October 22, 1874, the Irish party lodged at the Palmer House in Chicago. President Grant and his wife were staying there for the marriage of their son and invited them to meet in the evening. Afterwards, they were introduced to the President’s staff, which included General Custer. “The general who is an enthusiast about rifle shooting, here accepted a highly finished Rigby match rifle, the gift of Major Leech, which is doubtless the nucleus of the Chicago Long Range Rifle Club.” Further information is given in the book.

The Rigby rifle was given to her godson, George L. Yates, in 1913. Its current whereabouts is unknown.

I have attached a letter written by Custer on a letterhead marked “Headquarters Military Division of the Missouri Chicago, Illinois,” to his publisher, William C. Church of the Army and Navy Journal.

The Rigby rifle apparently is part of Custer’s collection in the photo.

My Dear Col,

I have had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Major Leech & some of the other members of the Irish Team who have been paying a brief visit to the West. Leech was kind enough to present me the Rigby rifle used by him in the International match at Creedmore. I am deeply interested in growing attention being paid to rifle practice in this country and have been practicing and intend to continue my practice with a view to attaining greater perfection in the use of the rifle at long range. I have clipped the score of Mr. Rigby from the Army & Navy Journal made in a recent match for the Beswick Cup and have strong hopes of making a better one before the holidays overtake us. I am glad to see an earnest movement begun assuring service of the prominent men in the West particularly Chicago looking to the formation of an organization here similar to that of Creedmore. It is the intention to establish a range in or near Chicago and if the proposed plans reach maturity I think it will not be long until the riflemen of the west reexercise a challenge from those of the west (sic). And I am sure such a contest would not only increase the deep interests already felt in this important matter but would go far toward encouraging the establishment of ranges throughout the country. Do not be surprised if your correspondent appears as a contestant. Such is my personal inclination and I will only be prevented by official engagements. I expect to find at Monroe, Mich a long range Remington rifle with which I will continue my practice as soon as I return to the Plains which will be November, early in the month, say before the 15th. I have a target erected convenient to my quarters at Fort Lincoln and a range of great convenience. I wish you would mail to me at Monroe, Mich Wed or Thurs an issue of the rules &c governing Creedmore & the matches that took place there. Also give me the dimensions of targets &c with the scores made in International & Beswick matches. If sent to Monroe, Mich by the 5th of Nov I will get them. I have also to request & and have so promised the gentlemen that you place in the hands of major leech and Mr. Rigby each a copy of Life on the Plains inscribed on the fly leaf with my compliments. Do this to my account I greatly oblige; I believe I can get up a team or a portion of a team in the west, say on the frontier that would not hesitate to compete with the same number of those who belonged as do balance of the team at Creedmore.

Truly yours,

G. A. Custer