Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-11
CUSTER AND HIS MEN.
He Asked No One to Go Where He Dared
Not Lead.

->Ot Ledu.
From the Sioux City Cowa) Journal.
Poor CUSTER" said one Of his men, 81 fol.
lowed him through great part of the war OF
the rebellion private soldier, and followed
him afterward in various capacities during his
warfare on the frontier. Yes, and today il
should see the general astride his Kentucky
thoroughbred, seated as no man ever sat horse
before or since, should catch the CLINT of the
sun on the mighty sweep of that saber of his
and SEQ the yellow hair flying straight as he
dashed along, could not resist the temptation
to seize poker or a Ratchet or an ax handle
jump astride that old mare Of mine aud 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 a driver-a cavalier general who asked nc
man to go where he dared not take the lead
and as the danger became greater Custer wai
sure to be just 80 much the further in front OF
his column. Tacticians have censured him for
that. and perhaps he would have been with us
today had he abandoned it. But he was dash
ing soldier. and 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 ne let but few
opportunities go by, provided he thought the
enemy worthy the mette of his troopers.
rank and file OF his regiment, but never re-
posed the least confidence in his subordinate
officers. He gave his personal attention to the
minutest details Of his command, saw that every
trooper had his full allowance 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 cap
tain or lieutenant on such matters. For that
reason the subordinate commissioned officers
hated him just as heartily as his men loved
him. He insisted always on being absolute in
his command.
"But how the bows loved that man! Their
devotion was fttingly demonstrated in an IN
cident in the generals last battle on the Little
Big Horn. The two hundred troopers of the
seventh cavalry knew they were hopelessy ont
numbered BY an enemy better armed than them
selves. Eight cavalrymen broke through the
Indian lines and gained a neighboring bluff
They were practically out OF danger, for the
fine horses which the seventh were then equip
ped with could laugh at the best of the Indian
ponies. But they halted on the bluff and, look
ing back, saw their leader hemmed in on all
sides by the savage enemy. One said, Bows,
We can't do this" and, aiightiug, placed his
carbine against his horses head and shot him
dead. Then he quietly released his revolvers
from the saddle and thrusting them into his
belt started down the slope. The remaining
seven followed suit, and the little band was an
initiated in an attempt to gain their leader g
side on foot. All but one we're killed. and he,
being hal.-breed. the second son OF Theophile
Bruguier Of this county by his first wife, the
daughter Of War Eagle. escaped slaughter, the
infuriated Sioux paying no attention to any but
palefaces Bruyuier and we're friends and he
told me the incident the second day after the
fight"