For your consideration is this original, David F. Barry (1854-1934) photograph of General F.W. Benteen (1834-1898) with accompanying hand written D.F. Barry Letter, from the ex-collection of the C.M. Russell Museum and John Kleinschmidt. David Francis Barry (1854-1934) was one of the most noted photographers of the American Indian and U.S. Army participants in the Sioux War of 1876 and is attributed with some of the most recognizable surviving images from this period in the history of the American West. Barry first came to the west in the 1870’s to apprentice under photographer O.S. Goff, who worked as the photographer at Fort Abraham Lincoln. It was from this post the Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer led his Seventh U.S. Cavalry division in May 1876 to the battle of the Little Bighorn in southwestern Montana. This is considered one of the largest collection of Barry photographs from one historic Montana family offered for public sale. This photo shows General Frederick William Benteen posing for a portrait as he holds a large tobacco pipe in his mouth. Frederick William Benteen was born on August 24, 1834. He entered military service from Missouri as first lieutenant, Company C, Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, on September 1, 1861. Benteen was actively engaged in fighting throughout the Civil War, primarily in the western theater. Benteen took part in the Black Hills Expedition in 1874 and the Sioux Campaign in 1876. His role in the Battle of the Little Bighorn received mixed reviews. His refusal to rush to Custer's rescue as commanded was heavily criticized. However, his assistance to Reno at Reno's request, as well as his active leadership at the Reno-Benteen defense location, tempered this criticism. The photo is blind stamped in the bottom center reading, "Barry". It is matted once with gray matting paper. Included with the photo is a correspondence letter between John Kleinschmidt and David Francis Barry talking about how Barry has received Kleinschmidt's letter and his check. Barry talks about photos he has such as, Sitting Bull's mute son, a photo of Gall and the Benteen photo in this lot. He also mentions discrepancies in an article in the McLaughlin Paper. Finally he talks about another photographer by the of Fisk, who he does not like. The photo shows good condition overall with no damage or wear present. The visible photo measures 7 3/8" L x 4 1/2" W, while the entire piece measures 11 3/4" L x 8 1/4" W x 5/8" D. It weighs 14 ounces. Provenance: From the John Kleinschmidt collection which was on loan to the C.M. Russell Museum from 1987 to 1993 and included in the "The Cowboy West: 100 Years of Photography 1992-1993 exhibit.