The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-12-19

iir Gsner1I Of VOllU ISetI, Bruvet Major Con
er.i 0pitad SfaieI Army, and Lieutenant Colo
nj soTsnih Unlttd StAics CavGlIy. By FHED
TIoG WHITAKER, DteVet Captain sixth New
Y.TE yets 40 Cavalry. Sheldon 4 Co., New
Y.S EsT. WE. Hobbs. Agent and canTaAier
Wheeling '
Had General Custer been hero OF 70.
nance the story Of his life, as told in his
own and in the words Of his biographer
could not have read more like strange
and wonderful dream. Few military
men in the worlds history have risen &C
suddenly and at so esriy period Of life
from the obscutity OF cottage to a posi-
ton Of such striking prominence in ma
tons sight. Custer was no rich mans
son. No powerful relatives attended at
court to bid the COMMANDMENT. Chief,
'"lnke care Of Doub." His parents were
poor bu. respectable people, living in
the town Of Monroe, Michigan, and when
Young Custer was but lad he was
launched on the world to fight his own
way. Like many another American who
has risen to greatness, he put the little
education he had acquired to practice
By teaching school. He lad from earliest
youth a strong leaning toward a soldiers
!iis. Never a bOokish boy, lie was the
leader 10 all boyish sports, where his nc.
tive, energetic temperament and ma.
tural independence Of character made
him everywhere a leader and victor.
Alter many attempts, and almost purely
though bis own excrtionS, he received an
appointment TO West Point, and In the
summer Of 1857 4 tall, slender lad OF II,
With fair hair and a handsome face land.
al on tho wharf at the famous school, Of
which In af,cr years he was to be the
pride aud the boast. During his career
a. the Point young Custer was more dis
tinguished for getting into scrapes than
for study. At tho very last moment,
when awaiting orders to step out in mill
ISry lie rs a full.legcd Lieutenant Of
cavalry, Cadet Custer, being officer Of the
guard, instead Of suppressing n fisticuF
fgh! between two plebcs, as hc ough. to
have done. forge! his dignity 80 far as to
cry out, "Stand back, boys; lst's have a
free aght." The boy was father 10 tho man;
but military authority has no respect for
budding genius, so Cadet Custer vas or
dered for trial before court.martial.
Lieutenant, aIIerward General Hazen, the
young man who rspoEted him, lived to
tad himself outstsipped by the yellow.
haired laddie who thought Of fight first,
and discipline atterward. During four
years this promising youth devotcdsixty.
,ix Saturdays 10 extra guard. duty for
violating the academic regulations.
Lieutenant Custer, Second Cavalry,
stepped ut once from the narrow lie Of
military school 10 active service ut the
front. The war had become afact, and
many Of Clusters classmates buckled on
their swords and arrayed themselves
ssainSt tho National Government. Gus.
Ter reported at General scott's headquar.
tsrs on the 10Th OF July, 1861. At that
Iimo Scott was tho hero among West
Pointers, the Napoleon Of every .lieuten.
ants dream. Tho world had not yet
beard Of Grant, Of Sherman, Sheridan,
Kearney, Hooker, Meade, Mcpherson, or |
even Of tue Young Napoleon. Great was
Casters delight when General Scott
shook him cordially by tho hand and
wished him success as he ordered him to
pin his regiment on duty with Mcdowell.
Lieutenant Custer got hls baptism OF FIRE
4! the FIRST Bull Run. His own descrip.
ton Of tho battle is ono Of the best on
record. Having been assigned to duty
upon the stat Of General Philip Ksarney,
thea as atterward one OF tho most dash.
Ing officers in the service, Custer enjoyed
40 excellent opportunity for putting the
military knowledge obtained at West
Point to practical use. Kearney was
Vu'ters model, and the young aids en-.
Ire career was Just such a one as the one.
armed hero, 30 soon and 40 lamentably
10 be lost to the service, would have
Shalked out for himself. At the opening
oil the Psarnsular campaign the young
solder was attached 10 Haucock'S brig.
sie' HaStng shown remarkable GOODNESS
ana daring IN iOrdinI the Chickahominy
nnder orders from General Barnard and
GnmHEIng the enemies position, young
custer attracted the notice OF General
Mcclellan. Ills appearance at this time
lgFIsd 4 marked contrast TO the majority
o. dAudy majors and captainA who Glank.
Gu their swords at the heels OF tho great
'aiIenchCr. The young aid was dirty
and muddy, with uHkempt hair, coat not
brushed, but all creased from being
sep! 10, trousers far from guiltlesS OF
rags boots more russell than black, cap
once blue, now purple from many rains
and sGgs. Having narrated 10 the
HSisae'al all no had seen OF the enemy's
lae', Mcclellan said: "Do you know
you're just tho Young man I've been look
si!nS Tor, Mr.. Custer. How would you
IKE 10 come on my staff"
Gutter made no anawer. For mo.
SeIt be could make none. lie paled and
a''nsd, perfectly overcome. He could
10! believe his good fortune.
lou dOn't--really-mean it-Gener.
az vas all he could stammcr out.
tdo,'Ail tho General, kindly. "Iow
WIN you accfptF
no" did you feel when the General
POKE to you" asked friend Of Clusters
'o9E long after.
nus reply was brief, a, his eyes filled |
sHa tears; u tsi!I could have died for |
Iii, simple incident explains the SO.
NV OF AcCie!lans power and favor with |
ny army II Cu'Ier 10 after life defend.
futS!hsF more warmly than public opin.
IVA approved the conduct Of his old Chief,
as merely did what nearly all McClel.
, ~, personal staff aud many officers Of
vac stIy would have done had they cho-
i,; i" 70 axe up the pen. Mcclellan was q
,.. s' cut no carried with him to re-
T ,Es Spretty big slice Of tho heart Of
EARN Ts arm! Of tho Potomac. When Mo.
S's!!1n !sll Captain Custer shared 10 a
IAN !, y; extent bis failure. lie returned
-. " uV1e at Monroe, and turned his
Do @IIi0n to that other indispensable
SsTon Ola soldiers ambition, love-. He
az oIo I9nS admired 10 secret the daughter
Wbs" S i S;eaSC Bacon, but since the time
,nS ny . i1I!e Bessy swung upon the gate
- s1'lsd out hello, you, Caster boy, !"
j.5 aa never managed to get a chance.
CaS etson was q great man, and the
Os%.s 10y very small one. Cadet
t' OIL course Waa somebody With The