The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-08-04
Custer's First Appearance on the
Field of Gettysburg.

4 New York San reporter who ac-
eompanied General kilpatrick's staff
when skirmishing with the Confederate
cavalry, on the first day of Gettysburg,
was struck with the novelty of Clusters
aspect, as he made a charge at the head
of his line. 1t was near Oxford, Penn
sylvania, and Fitzpatrick having reason
TO suppose that a body of the enemy
were in sm all wood bordering highway
ordered Custer to drive them out. Gus
ter while First Lieutenant on the staff
of General Mcclellan, had been exceed
ingly careless in his costume. He was
often out of uniform, in seedy coat,
and his long blonde curls rolled on his
shoulders from under broad -brimmed,
coarse straw hat, worn like that of
farm laborer. On being suddenly pro-
NOTED from a captaincy to brigadier-
generalship, his dress was as suddenly
changed, and the contrast was remarka-
ble He wore tight black velvet jacket,
and every seam, back, front and arms,
was covered with gold lace. The seams
of the black velvet trowsers were like
from the knees. A white collar border
ed with blue spread to the shoulders,
and the broad brimmed black hot was of
the Charles the Second order, worn
jauntily, with a thick, curling black
feather. The blonde curls, with sur
roundings of black, stood more strongly
in relief than formerly. The appearance
Of the man was exceedingly picturesque.
Efeminate as curls might appear upon
some men, the weather. beaten and man
ly face of Custer neutralized any sugges-
tion of the kind.
Custer placed himself to the right OF
the first line of about two hundred men
At first they walked, but, as they ap,
preached the enemy, trotted. 1t was
then that the curls began to dance upon
the shoulders of the leader. Soon the
troops broke into gallop, and the curls
danced furiously. The enemy rushed
out into the road. Then, amid the hur
ly burly of yells, cleaning swords
cracking shots, and horses forced by thu
pressure off their fore feet, Custer ant
his curls were lost to sight The contes
lasted but two or three minutes, and tn,
little troop of Confederates gave way
Custer then trotted back with his men il
good order, his habitually grave face il
no way excited. A charge was almos
an everyday affair with him. A heav,
= force ofthe enemy Infantry was though
to be within convenient distance of hi
cavalry, and it was not considered wis
! to pursue the latter, especially as nigh
, was falling. Orders were given to star
. at midnight for the main scene of actio
at Gettysburg. As the march began tn
writer road by Clusters side THAT wa
! a close fight you were in; / wonder yo
q were not hurt" was said. "Do you sc
+ that boy?" asked Custer, pointing b
the light of the moon to a quiet lookin
q young cavalryman of nineteen. "H
saved my life. A man was pointing
! pistol at ME as l was engaged with SON
o one else; and he struck him on the hea
with his saber. The blow cut throug
the mans cap and into his skull, and h
= aim was diverted" Custer was talk;
6 tive for a time, but soon fell into tt
- dreamy silence usual with cavalry @
v night rides. Suddenly the cracking
: carbines was heard in front, and ha
" was ordered. Immediately they sounde
in the rear, but the few Confederate
4 who had created the scare were soon di
o persed, and at FIVE o'clock, as the mai
+s body of Meade's army was approaching
fields of penned prisoners and long ROY
of wounded men attested to the fight
the previous day.