Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-07-20
Helena, Montana, Thursday, July 20, 1882.
Custer's Moods.
Correspondence of the Chicago Tribune. |

Correspondence of the Chicago TribuneI
The other evening was in conversation
with an old army officer who fought in tn
army of the Potomac through the war of tn.
rebellion large portion of the time Hi
acquaintance among the officers and the mer
extended over large circle, including som'
of the since most noted men. Among then
was General Custer, whom he could no
praise too highly as a brave and gallan
officer. Captain Hazelton, of Rochester-fo
it was he who talked to me-told an Incl
dent of Custer which illustrates the nervou:
temperament of the man, and his sensitive
nature; for he was a sensitive spirit Wht
could not bear injustice himself, and some
day the circumstances which led to his death
may be cleared up in way that will moi
reflect honorably upda some high in power
at the time it occurred.
/ Captain Hazelton could relate incidents OF
the war as interesting as q novel. He him
self carries bullet in his face which annoys
him much, and still he has never applied fol
a pension. Said he:
when l cannot make living without
then | will ask Uncle Sam to help me, and
not before"
Captain Hazelton has carried the bullet
back of his upper iaw-where it occasionally
all over the Rocky Mountains from Santa Fe
to Montana, and from Puget Sound to the
Gulf Of California, and he also carries two
other gunshot wounds
ut was one night on the Rappahannock,
in the winter of '62-'3," said Captain Hazel
ton. Everybody knows the circumstances
of Clusters promotion to a Generalship over
officers who ranked him. OF course it
created considerable jealousy, and there was
no end of intriguing against the brave young
officer, who would have been greatly admired
but for his rapid advance, even by those who
now in their jealousy could see no better
course than to oppose him. Custer was not
a blind man, and of course keenly felt the
jealous opposition brought to bear against
him. One night q number of officers were
visiting at Clusters camp, and passing q
pleasant evening. While the festivities were
at their hight and every one was enjoying
himself an Orderly rode up with a commu-
nication for General Custer The General
opened and read it, It was an order reliev-
ing him from command of his brigade; that
was all-there being no explanation Of what
was to be done with him.
without word Custer went to his best
horse, bridled him with his own hands,
mounted and was away like the wind to the
fields, his long hair floating behind him, as
horse took fences and bitches in his masters
favorite accomplishment.
For some time he was engaged in the
mad ride over fields and streams, when an
other Orderly rode up to where the other
officers sat looking at and admiring the dis
tant rider and asked for General Custer.
"'There he is, in yonder field said an aid
pointing to the man and horse, then taking a
flying leap.
Away rode the Orderly, and finally over
taking the General we saw him take paper
from his pocket. Slowly Custer read it, and
then went up his hat, and down he came at
a mad run, whooping like a wild Indian,
directly toward the camp. When he reached
there he threw the paper to an Aid, and in a
low voice said:
Set out another case of champagne"
Then he leaped from his horse and retired
alone to his tent.
THAT paper contained an order for his
promotion to the command of a division"