Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-07-28

| To the Editor OF the Free Press and Times.
In the FREE Pass of the 18th inst.
under the heading, - A General on Custer, y
with much more Of the same kind, is the fol-
lowing
Why. remember when we were chasing Lee, and
had HIM up against Appomattox, Custer rushed
into the rebel lines and wanted Longstreet to sur
render the whole army to him You Custer
una gined that II he could .r hten LOngstreet into
turn over the whole rebel gang to Grant, but Long
street, who mad wonderful sense, quietly told the
furious } young man that he did not command the
army TO surrender 1t. and that Lee was off TO see
6rant on the same business.
| don't know the name of this redoubtable
Genera" who speaks so sneeringly of
Custer, but as | was at Appomattox myself
and not many rods from Custer at the time
alluded to, know that the above account
is base slander and unworthy of an honor
able man.
1t is SO worded that the reader would get
the idea that all Custer wanted was to make
a display of himself before the two armies,
and that he simply made himself the laugh
ing stock. 1t is evident that this General
either was not present or that he deliber-
ately and knowingly falsifes the facts.
He says Custer crushed into the rebel
lines" etc. That part is true. Custer had
done the same thing d hundred times
before 1t was habit Of his and about
that time was thought very creditable. And
he was followed by his entire division
while at the same time not less than dozen
rebel guns were pouring shot and shell into
him. Then it was that Gen. LOngstreet,
seeing that shot and shell did not stop him,
also seeing the long lines the 5th and other
corps in the distance coming up to the sup
port of the cavalry and attack, sent out tine
Aag OF truce. This flag first reached Major
Bliss. commanding the Sih New York Cava-
ry which led the advancing skirmisn line
1t was at once forwarded by him TO Gen
Wells, who commanded the brigade leading
the charge. Wells Immediately passed it
on to Custer, who was a few rods distant
from him. Here Custer is reported to have
replied TO the officer in charge of the flag,
when asked TO halt his command, a. Lee
wanted an armistice that he would mot halt
his column for anything short of uncondition-
al surrender" And without halting his
command at once accompanied the flag to
Sheridan, who was little distance back and
to the right, pushing up the infantry. Soon
an aid came galloping after Us with an
order to halt. The First Vermont Cavalry,
which led the advancing column and had
been moving forward at trot, at this mo-
ment ,as II emerged into the opening came upon
the enemy on the opposite ridge and charged
them. The horse of the aid who came 10
halt them was not fleet enough 10 oyertake
the first battalion, which dashed upon and
put to flight the enemy, before being over
taken and ordered back. 10 alittle time We
were informed that Il cessation of hos
tilities till four o'clock p. m, had been
agreed upon. So much for Clusters crush
ing in and demanding the surrender Of Lees
army etc. Ii was half suspected that the
flag of truce when 1t was first came in was
simply ruse to gain time. Custer did not
propose to be outwitted.
1t Is very easy for those generals
whose fame was eclipsed by Custer u speak
sneeringly and endeavour to belittie his deeds.
now that he is dead. 4 scape-goat must
be had on whom to pu: the odium Of this
late disaster and it Is better to have a dead
man than one who can defend himself
When the Montana slaughter Is investi-
gated it will be found that some one besides
Custer has blundered.
Having followed Custer from the Rapidan
to App1mattox Court House, and fought
under him in more than score OF battles,
being twice severely wounded while fighting
under him, can say that next to Sheridan
there was no General | would rather serve
under, than Custer. In this, think | echo
the sentiment of every member of the First
Vermont Cavalry. lie never asked his men
to 90 where he did not lead. Whatever he
did, he did with all his might. He was
desperate fighter, but never reckless of the
lives of his men.
ONE OF TBE FlRsr VERMONT CAvALRY.