The morning call., 1893-03-20
CUSTER AND HIS MEN.
An Incident Showing How the Boys
Loved Their General.

Sioux City journal.
poor Custerp' said one of his men. 81
followed him through great part of the
War of the Rebellion as private soldier. l
followed him afterward in various caDaci-
ties during his warfare on the frontier
Yes, and to-day if l should see the general
astrde his Kentucky thoroughbred, seated
as no man ever sat horse before or since,
should catch the CLINT Of the sun on the
sweep of that saber of his, and see the
yellow hair flying as he dashed along, |
could not resist the temptation to seize
poker or Ratchet or an aXhandle, jump
astride that old mare OF mine and follow
him for better or for worse.
And no soldier of Clusters ever did more
than follow him. He was a leader of his
men-not drlYer-a cavalier general, who
asked no man to 90 where he dare not take
the lead-and as the danger became greater
Custer was sure to be Just so much further
in front of his column. Tacticians have
censured him for that, and perhaps he
would have been with US to-day had he
abandoned it, But he was dashng soldier,
aud would rather charge upon an enemy
Outnumbering him twenty TO one than seek
vantage ground or lay siege. He believed
it to be his business to fight, and re let but
few opportunities go by. provided he
thought the enemy worth the mettle of his
troopers.
Custer had the most unbOunded faith in
the rank and file of his regiment, but never
IepOsed the least confidence in his suDor-
dinate officers. He gave his personal atten-
ton to tie minutest details OF his command
saw that every trooper had his full allow
ance OF rations and clothing, and saw, too,
that the men attended Just as carefully to
the physical wants of their horses. He
would never take the word of captain or
lieutenant on such matters. For that rea-
son the subordinate commissioned officers
hated him just as heartily as the men loved
him. de Insisted always on being absolute
in his command. But how the boys loved
that man! Their devotion was fttiugy
last battle, Cd the Little Big Horn. The 200
troopers OF the Seventh Cavalry knew they
were hopelessly Outnumbered by an enemy
better armed than themselves.
Eight cavalrymen broke through the In
dian lines and gained neighboriug bluff.
They were practically out OF danger for the
fine horses which the Seventh were then
equipped with could laugh al The best Indian
ponies. But they halted on the bluff, and,
locking back, saw their leader hemmed in
on all sideSiby the savage enemy. One of
them said Boys, we can't DO thisp aud
aiighiing he placed his carhine against his
horses head and shot him dead. Ihen he
quietly released his reVolverS from the sad
die, and thruStlng them into his belt started
down the slope. The remaining seven fol-
lowed suit, and the little band was annihi-
lated In an attempt 10 gain their leaders
side on foot. All but one were killed, and
he, being a half-breed, the second son of
Iheophile BTuEier of this county by his
first wife, the daughter OF War Eagle, es-
capped slaughter, the infuriated Sioux pay
ing no attention TO any but palefaces.
Bfugler and | were friends, and he told me
the incident the second day after the fight"