Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-03-12
WAS HIS BRAVE BOY.
WHAT JOHN A. BINGHAM SAYS OF
GENERAL GEORGE A. CUSTER.

mehI-IepOTClnS 10 HIS faJTOn AICer
the Battle of Bull Run-His Young Wife
Helps Him Express Thanks.
General George A. Custer, whose terri.
BILE death shocked the nation in its centen-
NAL year, was born near Cadiz, o. He
was appointed to West Point by John A.
Bingham, who, after long service as min
lister to Japan, is still living, and it is one
of Mr.. Bingham's proud memories that
his protege achieved fame and justified
the appointment.
The story of Clusters career is almost a
romance, tragic as was its end, but never
before has the history of his entrance into
military life been told in print.
Some time ago a correspondent had n
talk with Mr.. Bingham on the war be-
tween China and Japan. During the con-
versation the name of Custer was mon
toned, and the old orator was at once full
of enthusiastic "Reminiscences concerning
the hoy" who owed his career and great
ness in part to John a. Bingham.
Il was not long in congress" said Mr..
Bingham, "boforo | received letter from
boy. 1t was boy letter. but not like
the letters of most boys, and it captivated
me wonderfully.
Though that letter was written nearly
30 years ago, l can remember every word
of it as If it had arrived in this mornings
mail. Somewhere packed away among
my letters and papers l have it yet, but
there is no need of looking it. know
. it by heart
1T reads like this:
TOpA Tn t,l, 1,
send boy to West Point l want to go there,
and l am told you don't care whether Il boy
is Democrat boy or II Republican boy. lam
a Democrat boy, and l want you to send me
there want to be a soldier.
GEORGE A. CUSTER"
Such was the letter, written carefully
in boyish hand but firmly and legibly
l was struck with the originality and
blunt honesty of the letter and was cap
turGd | wrote back that the consent of
his parents must first be obtained. In
that day there was none of the miserable
machinery that we have now to prevent
appointment of worthy applicants. 1 had
but to make my choice and send the boy
to West Point, where he could stand ex-
animation.
THE mother of George Custer objected.
40 a lbllh llbiItl Nbulh. IlC was Il Ituu-
tiful Child-as beautiful as Absalom-and
her mother 5 heart possibly had Il present
iment of the terrible fate which befell
him 20 years later. George insisted on
being soldier, and finally she consented.
He went to the academy. l had never
seen him and was so engrossed with polit-
ical cares at Washington that almost for
got him. Then the war came on, and all
tho senior cadets of West Point were mus
tered into the service without graduation.
The nation needed every one of them to
drill the raw recruits who were rushing
from the north to defend the nations cap
ital. So it happened that my protege
came into the command of men while he
was yet mere boy, with his long yellow
curls hanging down to his shoulders.
II heard of him when he came to Wash
ington, but did not see him until after the
first battle of Bull Run.
In the report of that miserable flasco
he was mentioned for bravery and was
promoted on the field. A leader was need
ed to reform some troops and take them
over bridge held by the enemy. Like
Napoleon at Lodi, young Custer sprang to
the front and led the charge. The bridge
Woo hHh'iiI 'iiN my picbNSSC was q IOiO'
Il read all this with pride, but hunted
several times for my boy without finding
him among the soldiers. One day a young
soldier came into my room without the
formality of sending i'll card. He was
out of breath, and with some hesitation
declared:
Mr.. Bingham, am tho boy you APP
pointed to West Point. 1 have fought my
first battle, and l tried hard not to be
coward. l think it is my first duty to
make my report to you.
Brave boy! How manly and beautiful
he looked that day in his uniform of blue,
with his golden curls hanging loosely
down his back
His breast was bare, and he was every
inch hero and sGSlier. What wonder
that l was proud Of him then and thence
forth, and | watched him go up to the
rank of brigadier general, and then the
youngest major general in the army
Never shall l forget the day when he
came to me in full uniform, bringing his
bride.
They came into my parlor, and he was
a proud happy boy as he said to me:
Mr. Bingham, I've brought my wife
to see you and to thank you for what you
have done for me.
And so there they stood, those two
young people, beautiful in their youth.
Mrs. Custer, good, beautiful, noble and
pure woman, took me by tho hand and
there was the struggle of emotion in her
voice as she said
~ want to thank you, Mr.. Bingham,
for transforming my husband from
wOodchopper into a general of the United
States army
Il was touched deeply myself and re-
sponded with pride, for l was proud of
them both-he SO beautiful and brave, and
she SO beautiful and pure. as know she
is now and will be until she leaves this
world.
Zone day months afterward came the
report that George was killed in one of the
Wilderness battles. l rushed to the war
department and into Stanton's office to
learn If the terrible report was true.
Killed? Nor Numbered Stanton
He was hemmed in by rebels, but he cut
his way out with his own sword and Gov
cred himself with glory
Alas, that my brave boy, George Gus
ter, should survive the war and then be
cut to pieces by those miserable savages
on the western rontierP'-Cincinnat En-
quirer.
Avoiding Temptation.
IAN ounce of prevention is worth a
% fsV,'f IL ens1