Watch List notes:

Custine, Adam Philippe, Comte de. French general; after serving in the Seven Years War, joined Rochambeau's "ExpÈdition ParticuliËre" to aid America in its War of Independence, being part of the Regiment de Saintonge, which participated in the Virginia campaign of 1781. Custine served with distinction against the British and received recognition of merit and a brevet from the fledgling U.S. Government. Made "MarÈchal de Camp" on his return to France. When a series of military mistakes not of his making resulted in Custine's failure to relieve the besieged fort of CondÈ, he was recalled to Paris during the Reign of Terror, arrested, tried for treason and guillotined. Autograph letter signed "Custine", darted 30 March 1792, in which he begins "We, Adam Philippe de Custine lieutenant general of the French Army", and discusses the defense of the frontier; also document signed "Custine" as Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the Rhine, dated in Mainz, 24 Xieme 1792, concerning the appointment of Citizen Adjutant Major BarthelemÈ Roche. About very fine. Accompanied by a Delpech engraving of Custine. [2]

($100-200)