Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-01-15
REGoLLEoTI0NS OF GEN. CUSTER.


The Philadelphia Times, under the head
ing of 'sAnnals of the War;" has been pub
fishing series of very interesting articles
by prominent Southern and Northern writer's.
These articles have all been marked by an
utter absence OF sectional or partisan tone,
and are calculated in n very strong degree TO
heal the wounds that seem yet to cape and
cry for vengeance from the hearts of some Of
our rampant politicians on both sides of tho
line The last of these chapters of unwritten
history is from the pen of Mrs. Ella b. Wash-
ing;on, of this county, and is beautiful
tribute from this gifted Southern lady to the
dead hero Custer. We regret that our lim-
tied space will not allow us to give the whole
of these "Recolections of Custer" to our
readers, but we clip the following pen
picture of tho dashing young cavalry Gen>
eral, as be appeared in 1864:
Though not a scientist in physiogDomy,
sought to study out the blonde, almost boy
ish face, of the young officer, observing
both the features and expression with close
criticism. 1t was strange to think Mis was
the Custer who had made himself "man of
mark" among an army whose commanders
combined the skill drill aud courage of this
and other countries-he looking like youth.
had my own beau idcak Of general OF cav
airy embodied in our gallant, glorious, uu-
surpassed Stuart, the very prince royal of
soldiers, with his strikingly fine face and
form, his bold, bright, earnest eyes. Here
was the hero of another army-alike tho
pride and idol of has people. who admired
4 IL ifyTa th,,as. s.afts,
manner. They. said his rapid promotion was
for "gallant sevces," though yet SO young in
years Skill and courage counted high in
the deadly strife they were waging. My OBJ
.seryations and opinions Of him would be cer-
tainly impartial, and 1 resolved to try and
be also unprejudiced. What saw was this
A tall young man whose decidedly dashiDg
dress gave q picturesque peculiarity to his
appearance with face full of nerUe and
animation clear cut, regular features; .
nose somewhat severely straight, with fexi-
BILE, nervous nostFiIs the compressed lips OF
an expressive mouth, thin and firm, shaded
By q blonde moustache the short, we'll.
curved chin, close sbaven. Under o high,
broad brow there cleaned and glowed eyes Of
a clear bright bue-strauge, sc;ntillsting
eyes they were, surging with expression full
oflights and shadows, sparkling like STEEL
flashing like fire, or softening sometimes with
kindly emotion. Back from the brow were
carelessly tossed the "golden locks" he was
noted for, OF really beautiful hair. that looked
like child's curls, they seemed 60 soft and
siIken-utterIy unlike ones imagination of
what pertained to u warrior-and altogether,
uncommon. The tall, well-proportioned f.
gure, straight, supple, musculsr-somewhat
thin, though in times of rest and peace il
have haep fuiIor-uaa disnlared and
set off by the dress that, as have said, gave
a peculiar picturesqueDess to his appearance.
This was cavalry jacket of dark blue or
black velvet, richly orDsmented on the sleeves
with gold braid, shaped into what was called
the eHungarian knot" with shoulderstraps
and buttons in the style belonging 10 briga-
der generals. Then fatigue shirt Of navy
blue with wide sailor collar, outlined with
white braid, q star embroidered in white at
each corner, turned over a cravat of vivid
scarlet silk, carelessly tied in o sailor kpot
at the throat The tout ensenJle was efec-
lively completed by high cavuiry boots drawn
over ordinary pantaloons of dark lead color,
and black felt hat, held in his hand, with
wide brim, decorated with q gold cord and
tassel and long black plume. | thought
he looked more like a stage soldier or
Spanish caUnHeiTo, except the blonde color
ing. and could scarcely imagine any one
fighting fercely in such a parade dress.
though il seemed singuIarly suitable to the
style of man was inspecting. One has an
abstract admiration for the splendid spotted
skin of royal Bengal tiger while safely con.
templa,ing his Gagged beauty, though feeling
the while there is deadly power in the stroke
of those velvet pads of paws that step so still
and smoothly up and down behind the iron
bars. The fierce, beautiful brute carries
death in the clutch Of those terrible claws,