The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-01-02
AMENIHIEs oF WAR.
and Custer with an Old Conn.,
rade.
philadelphia Tlmes.1

philadelphia Times.1
In the summer of 1862 when Generals
Mcclellan and Joe Johnston were command
ing the two opposing armies in the attack
and defense Of Richmond. a freak of fate or
decree of destiny ordered singular
coincidence in the situation OF the northern
and southern cadets. Custer was acting on
General MCClelian's staff and his former
friend on that of General Joseph Johnston,
each as aide to the commanding generals of
the. northern and southern armies. On the
das of the battle of Seven Pines, or Fair
Oaks, the confederate commander was
severely wounded by shell, and his place
afterward fillel by General Lee. The
same day Johns,On's young aide was
captured by the enemy while in the
discharge of his duty. and taken to
McClelan's headquarters as a prisoner of
distinction. He mad been known to the
federal general when at West Point, and be-
ing courteously recognized was treated with
much consideration. Here, too, he met sew
eral young officers who had been cadets at
the same time with him. by whom he was
welcomed with much cordiality and glee-
kindest and most cordial was Custer. 1t
was a singular, a striking scene; one that
merits description among the incidents of
sectional war. The blue jackets greeting the
gray, foes meeting as friends, hands clasping
kindly that were armed in deadly strife
against each other. Just small green
spot In the dreary desert of war. To Gus
ters care Mcclellan especially consigned
the young confederate officer, with the
charge, given in a serio-comic tone, that
the prisoner should not be treated very
severely, but allowed a cigar and other
refreshments occasionally" So that night
there was rather Publication in one of the
headquarters tents which the party occupied.
Rehearsing scenes at West Point in which
they had mingled, 'skylarkirg' at Benny
Ravens, and other hap-baZaTd frolics, stories
of study and drill, and mutual inquiries for
friends scattered south and north amid the
ranks OF the contending armies. Afterward,
when the confederate prisoner was ordered
to be sent to Fort Delaware in parting with
his acquaintance again, Custer, his generous
guardian, suddenly struck with a kind
thought, exclaimed impulsively: You
must haye some money. Jim; those pictures
in your pockets confederate currency don't
pass up there and in spite of the earnest
protest of his friend, who assured him he
could readily draw relatives in
Baltimore for needed funds, finding IL
impossible 10 persuade him to take the
money be offered. stepped up and stuffed
some notes IN his vest pocket, nolens volens
Such acts are only prompted by noble
heart. During this detention at General
McCiellan's headquarters, while one day the
federal and confederate officers were seated
together under tree, an itinerant artist
seized on the striking effect of the singular
situation and promptly portrayed them in
photograph. As an amusing and apprOpri-
ate addition 10 the scene, Custer had negro
boy seated ut their feet, putting as he said,
lsughingly, 1.-The irrepressible conflict be.
tween them" This picture attracted much
notice fcom the press at the time with the
singularity OF the circumstances and Incl
dents attending upon the meeting OF the
two young men.