Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-07-28
Some Interesting Facts About Gen. Cus-


Many people have the idea that Custer
was rough, staggering, swearing, drunk
Ell trooper. He was just the opposite. lie
was as dainty beau in ladies' society, and
as entertaining guest at the dinner table
as one oilen sees. For years he has never
drank drop, even Of the lighlest wines.
lie used to in the earlier days of the war,
but 10 his wife's sweet influence he surren-
dered the habit and became not only
temperate himself but the apostle Of tom
perance. He never swore nor would he al
low an oath TO 10 uttered IN his presence.
have heard him rebuke his officers many
time for swearing, and for one of his SOL
diers 10 utter an oath in his hearing was
considered the grossest sort of insubordin-
alton. Another anomaly was that he new
or used tobacco in a"y form. With one Of
the sweetest, gentlest, brightest women In
the world for wife in house on the from
tier, where the gentler arts were mingled
with the privations and rudeness Of half
civilization, with a library, where Ruskin
lay beside a revolver, and Jean Ingelow
kept company with cartridge box; with
a drawing. room where velvet carpet was
strewn with hall-cured bear aud wolf skins
where delicate lace curtains were held in
place by antlers, and where elk heads and
stuffed owls ornamenied The piano, Custer
lived, illustrating in himself the anomaly
of hunter and literaieur; as associate of
savages and patron of art.
have heard from his lips The story of
his courtship, and ii was so characteristic of
the man, 50 illustrative of his can't-be-
beaten disposition, that it must be told.
During his absence at West Point his FAM
lily moved from Ohio TO Monroe, Michigan,
where they now reside, and ailer oneof his
campaigns in Virginia, the boy general
went home on a lurlough. lie was fresh
from some of his raids, aud he had already
captured more flags and prisoners than any
other officer in tho war. There was an ova-
ton for him at his home. The people Of
Monroe rejoced in his success then as they
are mourning for his fate to-day. But there
was one gentle maiden in that town, Miss
Bacon, the daughter of one of his fathers
nei eigbbors, who had no taste for soldiers,
aud who rather frowned than smiled upon
| the gallant young cavalier. As fate would
udNt II, NusAtl was uiDIb All W uti
than by all the other ladies in this new
home he was visiting for the first Time, and
her repulses aggravated him until his OBJ
stinacy was aroused and he determined TO
conquer this naughty country girl who re-
fused 20 smile with the rest Of womaukind
upon him. / remember how he described
his feelings; how he proceeded in his suit,
| inquired about and ascertained the charac-
teristcs of the lady, and how he resolved TO
lay deliberate siege for the occupation OF
her heart. He called upon her one day, but
| the servant was instructed 10 ask that Miss
| Bacon might be excused. He called again
| aud caught her at a window unprepared.
Here the siege began, her aversion was
conquered, and when he went back To the
army in Virginia, he took her with him as
| his bride. She rode beside him in all his
marches aferward in the war She slept
beside him many night when they bivou-
acked with 10 cOVcrid but the STARS; she
watched his departure for many battle
and welcomed his return. She was the pa
tron saint of his army and her gentle sym
patty and kindness are remembered by
thousands of soldiers to-day.-Cor. Chicago
Inter. Ocean.