The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-07-19
Custer,

me teIegraph has tUIu us Dut uttic;
but that little is enough to show tina
the most terrible Indian battle which
has occurred since st0nt old King
Phillips time was fought at Little
Horn River, on the 25th OF June
Three hundred and fifteen men were
mastered. Not one of the command
was left alive.
There will be sadness in many a
heart tor the brave Custer. Far and
wide over the surface of the worlds
sea will the circle spread from the
lonely spot where his gallant life went
down. He had fair beginning
From his early youth lite lay before
him with it's rarest charm. County,
suave and elegant, the ideal of the
beau sabreur, he was of that type
which is keen. to avenge and slow to
forgive. He had not many friends,
but to them he gave the attachment of
nature which rarely offers friendship
and love, but when given, draws
friends to itself by a band which is
firm and enduring as clasp of steel.
Custer was a born soldier. He loved
the call Of the bugle and the glitter of
the sun on the line of steel as his regi-
ment formed in the field. He was
swift and sure as death, and as untir-
ing as the red Indian he hunted. 1t
was q sharp change when he was sent
to the frontier. But he bore it well.
"Bon sang ne peut mentir," is Bur-
gundian proverb, old as the lilies of
France. No man could have borne the
hardships, the privations more CALAMITY
than did "the dandy of the army"
From the extreme of luxnry, indul-
gence and extravaganza, he went swift
~ to the extreme of hardship, dIscip-
line and toll. From life in which was
every taste and refinement, he suddenly
came to Il life wherein nearly every
privation was endured. TO win victo-
~ against snch foe as he fought, was
simply to win and hold by dint of con-
slant vigilance, for his red adversary
was as swift to sweep as the war eagle
whose feathers lie wears, and as ready
/ to rend as wounded lion at bay.
There was in Custer a reckless dar-
| ing which was hidden under his serene
aud listless bearing. He seemed toe
courteous and too calmly graceful, sc
the old school of officers affirmed. But
when this spirit of daredeviltry did
come into action it showed its possess
or as ono of the most intrepid anC
chivalrous officers that was known tt
the service. He loved danger for it,
own sake. The Indians circling like
hawks, only made every nerve of hi;
being thrill with fierce exultation. Blu
what boots it all nowP The stars look
ing down from heaven watch alike ovel
all, gentle and simple, for death know:
no rank, and patrician and proletariar
alike 90 down the dark valley.
| The grass will grow again as it dix
before and the pale ancmone sway idl,
to and fro in the Summer wind q
though brave blood had not been pour
cd out in vain. The wirtry wind ha
mpaned through many a stately mauso
!eum, but never over truer heroes thar
those whose bones lie unburied by TIN
far off lonely river toward the settin:
sun. "Resemary. that is for remem
brauct.n Tie river is clear now
There are no mad shouts nor dyir;
shrieks to break the ripple Of it's Sal
mnrmuring, bnt on its banks lay t'os'
who so CALAMITY died under shield
No bugle call will wake them. Tn
SIM will rise and set, but they will iea
reveille never more. They will answc
again only to that bugle call which
, shall wake dead world on the Las
Day. But OIL the monument more en-
t during than brass, which memory sha1
rear in hearts that thrill with tales G
daring deeds, there shall be written
ADEsTE FIDELES.
IN. 0. Times.