This collection includes miscellaneous correspondence of both Custers including military reports and orders, newspaper clippings, and two patents issued to G. A. Custer. Correspondents include Edwin. M. Stanton, Zachariah Chandler, Reuben E. Fenton, Andrew Johnson, Lawrence Barrett, William T. Sherman, Nelson A. Miles, B. O. Aylesworth, and A. B. Ostrander.

Handwritten and signed letter written from San Francisco on April 12, 1862 and addressed to Edwin M. Stanton (1814-1869), Secretary of War for the United States. Stanford is concerned for the defense of California in the Civil War. He requests that federal arms be turned over to the California militia to make a more effective force. He also describes the condition of the defenses of California.