New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-10-15
Custer and Kosser.

Professor Phelps. OF the First State Nor.
NAL School, accompanied the Yellowstone
expedition, and contributes interesting let.
ters to the Winona Republican. A letter
dated sixty miles west of the Missouri,
July |, contains the following in regard to
General Custer and General Rosser:
In the afternoon General Custer came
over to our tent, and himself and Kosser
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 30 the necessi-
ties OF the war both classes were graduated
at the same time. Rosser, however. having
been ordered home two or three weeks be-
fore the close of the academic year. never
received his diploma. Being a firginian,
he took service in the Confederate army,
ana before the close of the war he, az we'll
as Custer, rose to the brevet rank of Major
General. Both were cavalry officers. and
they were pitted against each other on
many a hard fought field with varying for.
tunes. They we're fOeman az Fiv. Forks,
the Wilderness, Gettysburg, and nearly all
the battlefields ct the Old Dimipion. Until
this occasion they had met but once since
che el0 e of the war. The interview was
exceedingly pleasant and deeply interest
ing. Their mutual questions and explana-
lions concerning their combats IL which
they had been parties cleared up points
which before were mysterious. and afforded
an entertainment TO their only auditor On
this occasion that was we'll worth the trip
to Dakota TO enjoy.
In physique. az well AS IN III. 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, lace spare, nose rather large
and pointed, and hair hanging in slight
cur)s 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 al
titude, to be sure. His manner is quick
and nervous and somewhat eccentric. As
a soldier he is bold dashing and energetic.
Were he religionist, you would expect him
to be a tirst-class fanatic, for it is impOssi.
BILE for such man to do anything BY
halves He is a good soldier, but has the
reputation OF being rather reckless in his
style of life.
In height, broad and erect, with well-knit
frame, and weighing about 800 pounds His
face is round and full, his hair black. his
complexion fair, and with rudy 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
He is one who is eminently (
fitted to exert great Influence over men
and to retain a hold on their confidence. !
tie 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- |
sonally experimenting che operations Of /
The extension Of the line to the Yellowstone
He enjoys in 2 high degree the confidence !
Of the company, and i. is safe to affirm that
this confidence IL in NO respect likely to be
misplaced.