The New York herald., 1876-07-16


not boasting Sometimes, when driven back alter
doing level best, he would say, 1--WE II whip that
crowd IN less than month, Pm Turk!" but he
meant IL oil the chagrin which ragged in the
bosom Of every trooper.
Just as grand battle Is about TO begin each army
waits for a moment II TO draw long breath and
brace for the struggle That moment is like
the moment before awful storm breaks. Every
man knows what Is coming every horse 10 watching
and trembling and the bravest man in the ranks will
turn pale and mark himself for victim. II is ter
ribe moment Every soul feels awed heart beats
painfully, and IL would II the fall Of musket
would stampede whole brigade. When the sharp
Of single musket the hoarse below of can
echoes from the hill tho spell broken and men
eager to dash at each others throats
have watched Custer while waited Sitting like
figure OF bronze, only his eyes moved. They glanced
here and there noting everything detail and before
the signal he knew whore the fight would be hot
test He TO lead us, and he might have trembled
without losing respect any OF the reputation he
had won.
NOT HOBBY.
1t has been asserted by several influential dsiles
since Cusers death that spirited cavalry charge was
pet hobby or theory Of his General Custer had but
one theory in war-whp the enemy If you can He
often could did 1t was not always by cavalry
routed by charge of 100 troopers. whole brigade
OF infantry In line OF battle have been known to fly be-
foro charge of companies of cavalry Even when
1t Is cavalry against cavalry, fierce charge, long yell
and the good Of sabrcs leaves the victory the
side of dash.
PRETTY A HOBBY.
General Custer only loved music for its soothing
influence but he loved 1t because It cheered the men
and ncrved them up bold dash hot encounter.
His band probably exposed than any other N
the serveS The proofs Of this the
which so!oe Of the members are carrying 10 their
graves. sa;os the closed every member Of the
band waa ling to make oath that Custcr's hobby
| band muss1
A
At B1rns' "A the cavalry found the bluGs tho
opposite sid the river alive with sharpsh ooters
Custer must CflEs, when he that the sharp
shooters must st be routed he turned TO the band.
1t was ordered to the 'front.' stationed where bullets
whizzed past their cars and the General remarked
''when you me draw my sabre you strike up
Yankee Doodle and play for all she's WORTH"
He put himself at the head of the brigade drew
sabre and the band up tho troopers charged
the ford crossed and routed the sharpshootors in
no time at ALL
At Bristow station the gunners OF ned battery
csived such vigorous reply from another in the hands
Of the enemy that the men wavered a little.
"Wbere's my band?" shouted Custer, and when the
leader had reported hc ordered to take position be-
side tho battery and give the gunners something
lively. The band went down, every man wishing he
| was his horn back in Michigan. The guns kept
roaring, and whilc there Is doubt that the band
played a tune no could be found who heard
note. By and by shell came screaming over their
| heads and, while all 'squatted," the bass drummer
went better and stayed down. The very next mis-
sile went plump through his abandoned drum taking
out both heads
"rhat beat out OF time laughed Custer. and he
permitted the band 10 retire.
''I'LL TRYING"
Trcvelyan Station probably the hercest cavalry
fight OF the war; Men on both sides charged and cut
and hacked before after. 1t man TO
man and horse horse, and charging squadron had
| reformed than they compelled to meet
q charge. The Confederates had infantry to back
them; thoy were superior in numbers and while the
day was drawing a close Custer found his command
surrounded The COnfederates counted on bagging
the entire force and they had good for be
hev,ng. There only way out; that road was
to be cut with sabres In council with his brothor
officers Custer pointed to . battery which had just
opened fire and said:--
There Is road, right over that tatteryl"
Ordering up the band he asked for "'Yankcs Doodle
the best you know how, " and history tells how th
troopers followed their leader out Of the trap 1t
years ago. but If to look the list OF
| reported with sabre cuts the head' his blood
| would tinge he realized how hot 1t was
RETALIATION
1t strict justice, judged by the old Persian law
but no Sodier Of tie brigade recall the affair at
Front Royal without feeling OF regret that should
have happened. Quite large number OF Michigandcrs
! were detailed to guard property belonging Cons
tederates and while In the OF this auty about
OF them killed by Mosby's troopers 1t
Is claimed the side that these were caught
| foraging, and the other side that they shot
down their posts OF duty, snatchcd of and hung
| by the nhuman portion OF the irregular cavalry At
any they killed, and their taking off aroused
| the Indignation Of both and officers A. Shep-
pardsown captured twelve thirteen Confedcrates
who identified us belonging to Mosby's CON-
mand and there was fierce cry ior retaliation. Tho
prisoners turned over TO the men. nve or six OF
them were Ut once swung up and the rest, after being
turned Tree In held were shot down tney for
their lives 1t was ian eye Tor an eye and tooth for
q tooth - but retaliation Is a ter ribie thing.
JOLLY.
There were few officers In the army who mad such
bright side for everything. reverse stung him
moment, and then, to usc his own words. That's all
right; they haven't for the last tlmel" HIS
hearty laugh, floating back weary men seemed TO
revive them and there was new reason Tor loving him
While he was strict disclpnarian he was neither
marnet nor dia lie regard IT necessary to shut his
Jaws together lcrcely and seek make his
tremblc with awe IN his presencc. Some gehersls
pursued ina. policy and some troops were
Custer could hod his dignity and distance and yet
| speak personally with rauk and lille
| '-CoMMIssARY."
| When have pounded the saddle for days at a
time without any .ot-up when horses down,
riders clear tagged out ana prospect OF then
good may do desperate thin1 ia has despair.
! Such instance came under the writer's observa-
ton day in the Shenandoah Valley Custer
killing and horses Ia his desire TO locate and
every OF Early's outposts, when, along
turnpike hungry trooper suddenly spurred his
the front, rode up beside Custer and drawing slice
of pork from his haversack, thrust 1t out and fercey
asked,
General Custer, where in damnation is your
missary'"
'Hero she isl" shouted the General in reply fishing
up n rusty hard tacki' from his pocket-Here she 49,
and IN trade you some OF my hard tack Tor OF
your pork.n