The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-10-12
MANITOWOC. WIS. OCTOBER II, 1893.
CUSTER THE HERO.

TeulS, dS a TOdTlIlS river, anu not Ike
the sluggish waters of a canal, will
feel thrill of enthusiasm at the men
ton of the name of General George A.
Custer, hero and soldier, who died at
battle of the Little Big Horn, in June,
1876. Brave even beyond discretion,
| Custer was the beau-ideal of a dashing
cavalryman, and through all his life he
was not known to be guilty of one
single mean or cowardly act
He was born in New Runlley, Ohio,
December 5th, 1889. His earnest am
bition was to be soldier, and when
he was but four years old a miniature
military suit was made for him. This
tiny soldier r-suit is still in existence,
in keeping of General Clusters mother.
His father was at that time member
of militia company, and whenever
he went to training his little son went
with him, and marched after the sol
diers as best he could. his little legs
doing their best to make big strides
He used to 60 through the manual of
arms with a toy musket.
AS he grew older he went to school,
still retaining his desire to be a sol
der. While at school he was one of
the most mischievous and frolicsome
of boys, but never quarrelsome. All
his playmates speak of his lovahle and
gentle disposition, and the closest in
quiry fails to reveal single instance
of ill-temper during his boyhood
Though his practical jokes were num-
berless, there is not single record Of
a fight in all his school-life.
As he grew older he determined to
go to West Point, and in 1856 he
wrote letter to John A. Brigham,
then the member of Congress for the
district, in reference to his desire, aud
after much trouble he received an ap
pointment He entered West Point
as cadet in 1857, being at the time
Just seventeen years old. -Four years
of this military college made him the
dashing soldier, and on attaining his
majority he was graduated in 1861,
and assigned as lieutenant of the Fifth
Cavalry Regiment.
Very soon the opportunity same to
show of what stuff he was made. The
great civil war broke out. and Lieu
tenant Custer speedily earned distinc-
ton in scouting duty during the siege
of Yorktown and during the subse
quent campaign on the Chickahominy,
thereby earning his promotion to first
lieutenancy of his company. On June
9Th. 1862, he was assigned on the staff
of General Mcclellan, with the rank
of captain, and his bravery soon caus-
ed him to be nominated for brewer in
the regular service.
All through the rebellion his grand
courage and skill earned recognition,
but especially in October, 1864, his
dashing operations were SO brilliantly
executed that on the Oath he was com
missioned Major General of Volun-
teers, in which capacity he took a
prominent part in all the important
movements which resulted in Lees
surrender IN April, 1865.
After the termination of the war,
Geneal Custer was assigned to the
command Of various Indian frontier
posts, where he showed himself the
best officer on the frontier He fully
understood the Indian character, and
was constantly in action whenever any
service called for a prompt and de-
cisive officer. His first Indian cam
paign was in 1867, when he accom-
panied General Hancock's expedition
against the southern tribes-Coman-
ches, Cheyennes, kiowas, Arapahoes
and Apaches- in command of the
Seventh Cavalry Regiment, and from
that time until his death he was con-
stantly engaged against the aboriginal
inhabitants of our forest and plains.
Custer was the youngest major
general ever commissioned for active
service, he being only twenty five
years old when he was promoted to
that rank. He experienced the most
rapid promotion, perhaps, Of any mill
tary man in history. He captured
more flags and cannon than any other
officer during the war. His know
ledge of the Indian signs was COM
plete, and as an Indian fighter he was
the best and most successful our
country ever produced.
When to this bravery and skill were
added those tender and lovable quail
| ties that make a man dear in woman's
eyes, it may we'll be said that Custer
was character that our boys may do
we'll to emulate He was as tender
and sympathetic as a girl. He was
emphatically a gentleman in every re
spect. He never used tobacco in any
form; he was strictly temp er ate, nc
even using the ordinary light wines
of modern life; he never swOre, nOl
would he allow an oath to be uttered
in his hearing.
He was one of the best marksmer
in the army, as we'll as one of the bes
horsemen. Marvellous stories are
told of his feats in both of these par
ticul ars. He had almost as many
guns as there are varieties of manu-
facture. and his stable was filled will
the best blooded horses in the land
With all this, too, he was an accom-
plished writer.
Though he participated in nearl.
every battle fought by the Army o
the Potomac, the first bullet tina
pierced his flesh was received in tn
battle in which he met his death
His narrow escapes and hazardou
; encounters were numberless.
During the month of January, 1S71
General Custer and the 'Russial
Grand Duke Alexis made an extende
buffalo hunting trip on the Colorad
. plains In this trip the general show
ed the duke the manner of huntin
not only buffalos but also Indians
) and introduced him to the celebrate
! Indian chief, Spotted Tail, togethe
| with his wife and daughter Ger
: Sheriden was also one of the party.
+ Gilbert Stuart the American pOl
trait painter who has craven the fac