Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-08-22
Interview Between Generals
ROser and Custer-PersOn-
al Sketch of the Two.

Prof. Phelps accompanied the Yellow.
stone expedition, and contributes interesting
letters to the Winona (Minn.) "Republi-
can. From letter dated sixty miles west
Of the Missouri. July 1, we extract the fol-
lowing in regard to Gen. Custer and Gen.
Rosser
In the afternoon Gen. Custer came over
to our tent. and himself and Rosser for an
hour or more rehearsed the incidents of the
war, in which they participated on opposite
sides. They were fellow-cadets at West
Points IN 1861, Rosser in the first and Gus.
ter In the second class But owing to the
necessities ofthe war both classes were grad.
uated at the same time. Rosser, however
having been ordered home two or three
weeks beforesthe close of the academic wear
never received his diploma. Being Vir.
glnla, he took service at once in the Confed.
crate army, and being the close of the war
be, as well as Custer, rose to the brevet rank
of Major General. Both were cavalry off.
GERS and they were pitted against each 9TH
er on many hard fought field with VARYING
fortunes They were foemen at Five E olks
the Wilderness, Gettysburg, and nearly All
the battlehelds of the Old Dominion. Until
this occasion they had met but once since
the close Of the war The interview was
t exceedingly pleasant and deeply interesting.
Their mutual questions and explanations
concerning the many combats to which thew
mad been parties, cleared up points which
before were mysterious, and afforded an en-.
tersainment to their only auditor on this oc.
caslon that was we'll worth the trip to Dako-
tab to enjoy
In physique as well as in the general
type OF their characters, these two noted cal.
Valrymen are as different as could well be
conceived. Gen. Custer is of medium stat
ure. with body slightly inclined forward in
walking, face spare, nose rather large and |
pointed, hair light and hanging in slight |
wore black bread brimmed, low.crowned
hat, a dark blue short sack coat, light pants |
and red shirt, with collar turned over the |
vest. In talking he is intensely earnest |
and lively, and during this interview he sat
leaning forward with bis arms crossed and
resting on his knees, which were also cross.
ed--not very soldierly attitude, to be sure,
Ills manner is quick and nervous and some
what eccentric. As a soldier, he is bold
dashlng and efficient Were he religion
list you would expect him to be a first class
fanatic, for it is impossible for such man
to 40 anything by halves. He is good
soldier, but has th5 reputation of being rath-,
er reckless in his style of life.
Rosser is d man about six feet two inches
in height, broad and erect, with we'll knit
frame and weighing about two hundred and
twenty pounds His face is round and full
his hair olack, his complexion fair, with
ruddy tlnge. He impresses you in his ply
sloal presence as man Of great strength
and endurance. In conversation his voice
never pitched on high key, but is DELHI
crate without being slow, energetic without
being demonstrative. He is one who is EN-.
inently 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.
'oaally superintending the operations for
he extension Of the line to the Yellowstone.
lie enjoys, in high degree. the confidence
u the company, and it is safe to affirm that
his confden ce is in no respect likely to be
misplaced.