Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-07-19

Burlington correspondent II the Boston her
ald writes rs follows 10 that paper had to-day
an interview with General William Wells. Col
lcctor Of Customs here, in regard to hls old asso-
cinte and Commander the lamcnted Cnster En-
thu-iasm Tor the memory NJ Custer and grief at
his death were equally manifest In what General
Wells said ] eau easily understand said he
in speaking II Clusters attack on the Indians at
Little Big Horn how II was II was simplv i'm
possible for Custer to pass the enemy without
feeling Of him, no matter how great the risk In
war his dash always won. He inspired his men
A. sheridan did In the course Of conversation
General Wells gave some interesting facts and
In command Of the Third Cavalry Division from
some time Ia October, 90, to April iHh, 60 he
took more prisoners than he had men In his com
mand lie boasted, too and, without doubt
trnthfully, that during the same time he captured
every piece u artillery that was fired at his dv-
sion. Clusters disposition TO construe orders rather
broadly WAS Illustrated at Five Forks, whore he
was ordered ~ charge with the three brigades Of
his division dsmounted but in fact charged with
two brigades mounted and again on the morn
ing Of Lees surrender when he managed to get
considerably In advance Of General Merritt di,i-
sion, although ordered to follow Il. Custer. how
ever never disoheyed Sheridans orders, partly
perhaps, because the gallant Pills directions
usually were simply TO fight, details being left to
those who were 10 execute the commands
" incidents Characteristic Of Custer occurred at
iANfA springs anu brandy station. AZ the Tor
mer place during the night the enemy passed our
pickets, broke through our lines and charged
directly PAST Custers headquarters Selling bis
sword, with nothing on but shirt and pants Cen
eral Custer rushed from his tent and stationed
himself by the flagstaff 10 defend the colors At
Brandy Station his regimcntal c0ors were taken
from the color sergeant They had Just before
been presented 10 Custer by the ladies Of Monroe
Mich, aud without stopping 70 calculate conse-
qucnces or n see who or how many would follow
he dashed into the midst Of the enemy and tri-
nmphantiy recapturcd the priced insignia Gus
ter and his men came 10 wear the famous red
necktie because Of an incident that happened in
June, 81. After the fightat Ashland, Custer and
those with him found themselves upon the James
River, without any change If wardrobe They
however, obtained some sailors shirts from gun
boat, and, after arraying themselves in these,
fastened them at the neck with a strip " red
cloth which happened to be at hand Their al-
| peaance was the occasion Of some derisOn ont
side Of Clusters command. and, In consequence
red necktles were henceforth 10 Custer and hi,
men what log cabins and hard cider were 10 the
| Wings In 1870 The marriage Of General Custer,
which took place during the war was n happy
occasion--on which the First Vermont Cav.
airy showed their esteem ior the boy general
with the golden locks by presenting him with a
| silver service. On the occasion Custer showed
| his temperance principles and his appreciation Of
| the taste Of Nernouters by RECALLING his friend.
with cider and no other beverage