This is an original albumen photograph dated July 1891 showing the U.S. Army preparing for the abandonment of Fort Abraham Lincoln. The larger boudoir card shows the U.S. Army Artillery in the foreground with the Infantry and Cavalry in the distances, with this being an obviously important presentation. In June 1872, a military post named Fort McKeen was built by two companies of the 6th U.S. Infantry under Lt. Col. Daniel Hutson, Jr. (1824-1884) opposite Bismark, Dakota Territory. On November 19, 1872, the name was changed to Fort Abraham Lincoln and was expanded to include a cavalry post and by 1873 the famed 7th Cavalry moved into the fort to ensure the expansion of the Northern Pacific Railway. The first post commander of the expanded fort was Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, who held the passion until his death at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. The was the starting point of the Great Sioux War of 1876-1877, where Custer set out and was defeated at Little Bighorn and did not return. Later in 1891 the fort was abandoned after the completion of the railroad to Montana in 1883. Later in 1895, a new Fort Lincoln was built across the river near Bismark. This is truly a rare image, possibly some of the last taken at Fort Abraham Lincoln. The image shows some foxing at the top but overall well kept. Back is marked Camp Lincoln July 1891 / #457. Provenance: From the Jim Aplan Piedmont, South Dakota collection. Measures 8” by 5”. U6