The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-10-31
cn.teri md Ros.er.

I. Professor Phelps, of the First STATE
normal school, accompanied the Yellow
stone expedition, and contributes interest
ing letters to the Winona Republican. A
letter dated sixty miles west of the Mis-
souri,, July l, contains the following in
regard to General Custer and General Ros.
ser: fgr set.sgEs sgss as
" In the afternoon General Custer came
over to our tent, and himself and Rossei
for an hour or more rehearsed the In
cidents of the war, in which they par
ticipated on opposite sides. They were
fellow-cadets at West Point in 1861,
Rosser in the first and Custer in the second
class but owing to the necessities of the
war both classes were graduated at the
same time. Rosser, however, having been
ordered home two or three weeks before
the close of the academic year, never re-
ceived his diploma. Being Virginian, he
took service in the Confederate army, and
before the close of the war he, as well
as Custer, rose to the brevet rank of Major
General. Both were cavalry officers, and
they were pitted against each other on
many hard fought field with varying for
tunes. They were foeman at Five Forks,
the Wilderness, Gettysburg, and nearly all
the battle-fields Of the Old Dominion.
Until this occasion they had met but once
since the close of the war. The interview
was exceedingly pleasant and deeply in
teresting. Their mutual questions and ex-
plantations concerning their combats to
which they had been parties cleared up
points which were before mysterious, and
afforded an entertainment to their only
auditor on this occasion that was well
worth the trip to Dakota to enjoy.
In physique, as well as in the general
type of their characters, these two noted
cavalrymen are as different as could be
conceived. General Custer is of medium
stature. with body slightly inclined forward
in walking, face spare, nose rather large
and pointed, and hair haning in slight curls
to the shoulders. On this occasion he
wore black, broad brimmed, low-crowned
hat, dark blue short sack coat, light blue
pants, and red shirt, with collar turned
over the vest. In talking he is intensely
earnest, and lively, and during this inter-
view he sat leaning forward with his arms
crossed and resting on his knees, which
were also crossed-not very soldierly
attitude, to be sure. His manner is quick
and nervous, and somewhat eccentric.
AS soldier he is bold, dashing and ener-
getic. Were he religionist, you would
expect him to be a 6rst-class fanatic, for
it is impossible for such man to do any
thing by halves. He is a good soldier,
but has the reputation of being rather
rockies in his style Of life.
Rosser is o man about six feet two
inches in height, broad and erect, with a
well-knit frame, and weighing about 22O
pounds. His face is round and full, his
hair black, his complexion fair, and with
a ruddy tinge. He impresses you in his
physical presence as man of great
strength and endurance. In conversation
his voice is never pitched on high key,
but is deliberate, without being slow,
and energetic without being demon
strative. He is one who is eminently
fitted to exert great influence over men.
and to retain hold on their confidence.
lie is growing man. AT the close of the
war he gracefully accepted the situation,
came North, and entered upon the work of
railway engineering. He IS at present the
engineer in charge Of the Dakota division
Of the Northern Pacific railway, and is per-
sonaliy experimenting the operations Of
the extension of the line to the Yellowstone.
lie enjoys in a high degree the confidence
Of the company, and it is safe to affirm that
this confidence is in no respect likely to be
misplaced.