Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-09-29

OOiOnel lHOmnS We uhlcTs
We arc in receipt of the Oregon Sentinel, |
a live little Republican paper published
at Jacksonville, jackson county, Oregon,
by d. r. DowELb, in wbich we apd a long
editorial giving brief sketch Of tho life
and services Of The lamented THoMAs W.
CUSTER. The article was marked 70 attrac,
our attention from the fact, no doubt, the,
the parents of young CUSTER resided at or
near where the village Of Cusiar in this
county now stands at the time Of his en-
listment at Findlay, in 1861 We subjoin
the greater portion Of the article which
explains itself:
II will be remembered that among the
victims oil the late defeat OF Gen. Custer,
by the Sioux under Sitting Bull, the name
OF CDl Tom Custer was mentioned and
that he was made the victim OF special and
savage vengeance by Rain in the Face, who
cut out his heart and paraded ii in front OF
the bloc l.siained horde, impaled on long
pole. The name Of Geo. A. Custer is ia
miliar to every one, and his brilliant war
rocoi during the rebellion had identified
him with everything gallant and worthy
paihy Of all, but he only met the fate Of n
professional soldier, while in the discharge
Of his duty. But that of his brother. the
subject Of this sketch was shocking to hu-
manity. Though less generally known, lie
seems, by those who know him, to have
been an equally gallant and meritorious
soldier, who also served creditably in the
rebellion, and to which service he owed
his position as Captain OF the 7th Regular
Cavalry. Of which his brother was Colonel
Mt the time Of their death. The brothers
seem naturally to have been Of n warike
turn, though Thomas bad mn received the
training Of military school, and was
much the Younger Of the two. The frat
we bear Of him was IN 1861, when nj the
age Of l6, hc enlisted in the Federal army
as a private, and his recor'l proves him to
have been of true grit. Capt. Milo Cation,
now resident OF this place, and under
whom he volunteered, has furnished, us
with copy of the Company Muster Roll,
from which we take the following;
No. 14--Thoinas W Custer aged IS heigh,
5 feet 7 inches compile ion. light; eyes,
blne hair, sandy boTnin Harrison county
Ohin. occupation, farmer; enlisted At Find
lay, 0hio. Sept. 10, 1851. for the term Of 8
Years. Was n participant 10 the battles OF
Bowling Green. XVI Huntsville, Ala, Pu-
laski .Nashv Vile, LAverR ne, ,Stone Rivera Muir
freesbOrO,( IIoeVer's Gap, Tullahoma, Pigeon
Mountain, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain n
and Mission Ridge. Was promoted IN cor pO-
raj aud served in the Atlanta campaign.
| Discharged at q GIlesville, Ala term expir-
| ing Oct. -. 1854. Re.enlisted as a Veteran
and received n commission as 81 Lieutenant
! in the 9th Michigan Cavalry. He was i'm me.
diatelY assigned to the staff of his brother,
Gen. Geo. A. Custar,as Provost Marshal"
lie was with his brother in the memor.
able Shenandoah champaign under Sheri-
dan, and was present at the defeat OF Gen
Early. Although but 16 years Of age at
the time of enlistment, rs afterwards trans.
pired, he "passed muster" and never af.
terward left the army. At the close oi
tho rebellion he was among those trans
ferred to the Regular army rs a Second
Lieutenant and rose, by degrees, to the
rank of Captain in the 9TH Cavalry and
was brevetted ColOnel-hence we find him
bearing the title Of Col. Custar in NIL re-
ports of him. Capt. Cation says he was q
most excellent soldier-brave and dashine
and one of the most companionable Of
men in bivouac, ever ready and willing fol
any undertaking, he that camp duty
scouting, skirmishing or square work II
line Of battle. Ever prone to deviltry he
was the life of the company, though nevei
malicious and in no sense vindIctive
hence his grade Of punishment was nevcI
higher than "extra duty" of which HI
had full share. Capt
Cation last saw Tom Custer in North Ala
bama, but frequently heard from him
Those who saw him say he had grown t.
a tall symmetrical man of over six feet
straight as an rrow, and model of soldierl
grace, beloved by his men and respected b.
his fellow-officers and civic friends. Her
and there throughout the Union are scat
tered many who will remember poor Ton
Custer and his jokes and pranks in the ar
my of the Cumberland. All will deplor
his sad fate, and regret the necessity tina
compels the best military talent OF tn
army to take even chances with a savag
and barbarous foe, by whom no rules c
warfare are regarded and who show no re
spect for gallant foe, living or dead.
, But for all time shall Vnlor's bard
The story NJ that horror tell,
} And Honor's viewless legion guard
The spot where Gus ers fell.