The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-04-28


Custer, but he it was who first took it into
action, and he continued at it's head until
good fighting became second nature to the
Wolverines, and the laurels won under
him couldn't get away from them. For
soldiers with a reputation for fighting
never lack opportunities to keep it up.
Next to Phil Kearny among the minor
lights of the eastern army Custer was the
best talked up man among the troops at
large. In fact he seemed to succeed Kear-
ny as the idol of the rank and file. Each
possessed a striking personality, yet Gus
ter had it in him to be remembered best
and longest, not because he appeared last,
but rather because once seen he couldn't
be forgotten. Kearny's empty sleeve was
unique in his day, but empty sleeves soon
grew common. Custer carried a figure, a
mien stamped with royal marks of indi-
viduality. With his TALL 1.-the form. his
golden hair waving behind face that,
though young, was eager if not intense
with the passion for activity, we who
caught but passing glimpses could as soon
lose our impressions of Lincoln or McClel-
Ian or Grant.
Clusters association with Michigan troop
ers had a romantic beginning. He was
sent to the West Point academy from Ohio,
but when the war broke out his people
lived in Michigan. While serving as aid
to Gen. Mcclellan on the Peninsula he led
Company A, of the Fourth Michigan cav
airy, in a gallant attack on Confederate
post across the Chickahominy. He staid
in Little Macs family until the general
was relieved in November, 1862. After
McClellan's departure Custer dropped back
to lieutenancy in the Fifth Regular cav
airy, and was called out again by Gen.
Pleasanton when that officer became chief
of the cavalry corps Of the Army of the Po-
tomac, May, 1868. He served on Pleasan-
toms staff until June 20, 1868, when he was
given a star and installed over the Michi-
gan cavalry brigade. The army was then
closing on Gettysburg. The brigade COM
prised the First, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh
regiments.
Clusters famous charge upon Stuart's
column on July 8 is familiar history. The
Wolverines and their new leader were well
brought together and Custer divided with
Hancock the honors of Gettysburg The
Sixth regiment was not in the great charge
but two affairs of it's own during that rec
ord making epoch let it in for a share Of
the glory won by Custer and the army.
At Hunterstown, Pa, July 9, Capt. H. A.
Thompson, of the Sixth, led Company A
in charge On one of Stuart's brigades; los
ing 81 killed and wounded, but winning a
position for battery that finished the
business by driving Stuart from the field.
Custer rode with Thompson and his horse
was shot under him. His life was saved
by the quick shooting of Michigan boy
At Failing Waters, Md, July IA, while
Lees army was crossing the Potomac in
retreat, Clusters Michigan men ran into
Heth's division of HIPS corps, acting as
rear guard and covering pontoon bridge
over which Lees trains were passing.
-Four companies Of the Sixth were advance
guard of Kilpatrick's cavalry division, and
early in the morning they rode up to the
Confederate line with a stealthy tread
Gen. Pettigrew's brigade was on outpost
and lay in bivouac behind a series of de-
tached earthquakes thrown up for defense
Tbe Confederates, worn out with their fa-
tlguing march, were asleep. Gen. Heth was
startled by seeing about forty-five or fifty
cavalrymen n1aneuvering outside the pick
cts. He took them for friends until they
formed for a charge, then aroused his men
to give due welcome to the intruders Two
companies of the Sixth deployed as Skin
mishers and Companies B and T, led bv
Capt. Peter A. Weber, made a dash with
drawn sabers, passed through the intervals
between the Confederate works and pushed
On to the second line. Many of the Con-
tederates grounded arms in the first sur
prise, but seeing that the assailants were q
handful at most, they thought better of it,
seized their muskets and opened fire. Capt.
Weber was killed; also Lieut.. c.. Z, Bolza