The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1897-07-07
AN IDEAL CAVALRYMAN.
gen, Custer hs lie Appeared In IN
Grand Review,

/ y 4
ter" said Chief Clerk Bracket, OF IN
treasury department, while in a rem
iniscent mood the other day, ut bring
n memorable scene wildly 10 m,
minds eve. 1t occurred during tn
magnificent pageant that marched VI
PENNSYLVANIA avenue, in the summer o
,65. during the grand review Of thu
great army on its return from the pat
tle fields of the south on its way home
where all were to dofr the habiliment'
of war and don those of peace. Con
spicuous in the long line of victorious
hosts that wound its way from the
south side of the Potomac across the
Long bridge, up the broad avenue and
past the historic white house was the
Custer cavalry. Riders and horses
seemed inspired by the occasion. Never
on a peaceful mission was there shown
such dash and vigor as on that day
dominated this farfamed corps.
AN endless host they seemed, as
company after company, and regiment
after regiment, hurried by, with sabers
rafting, horses prancing, iron hoofs
beating a tattoo on the pavement, and
ever and anon bugle pealing forth an
order to which man and horse alike re-
sponded on the instant of its delivery.
Bronzed and hardy, with the dear old
flag and guidon waving in multitude
of places, without the gay uniform of
modern dragoon, but with the well
worn suit of blue, and the flying red
neck scarf, they seemed a reflex of the
youthful, brave and gifted general who
rode at their head, sitting his beautiful
horse like a tabled centaur, his long,
slk-like hair falling over his shoulders,
and his splendid presence everywhere
securing the hearty plaudits of the
multitudes who were witnessing the
grand review. 1t was my good fortune
that day to be in a position where l
could see every officer and soldier at
his best, or, in other words, when he
was passing the grand commanders
who were gathered on the reviewing
stand - Grant, Sherman, Sheridan,
Meade, Logan, Hancock and many
others.
"At one point about 500 feet distant
from the reviewing stand and in front
of the sidewalk holding the spectators
there was a group of ladies who had
supplied themselves with wreaths and
bouquets to be bestowed upon the most
noted of the passing generals. A mag
nifcent wreath was there for Gen. Gus
ter, and when he reached the proper
point lady stepped into the middle
of the avenue aud held out the wreath
toward the general for his acceptance.
This sort of presentation did not suit
the spirited charger bearing the gen
eral, and as a consequence there ensued
a struggle between horse and rider for
the mastery. And it was a battle royal,
resulting in what may probably be
termed draw, for although the general
forced the horse near enough to secure
the wreath on the point Of his sword |
the moment the wreath dropped to the |
shoulder of the sword arm, that mo-
ment saw the horse leap forward like |
4 startled deer, and assuming control |
ran more than square away, ahead of |
the column, past the reviewing officers |
and nearly to Seventeenth street before |
The general regained control over him. |
1t was a marvellous picture presentedb by |
horse and man, and showed to the as
'embIed multitude a typical cavalry
nan, young, handsome, dashing and |
Grave, rushing 70 the front, just as he
was wont to do on the day of battle.
It was truly day of triumph for him,
or as he returned to the head of the
column thousands joined in the APP
1lause given this gallant soldier. Mans
to man makes countless
thousands mourn This is fully exem-
lifted i'll Gen. Clusters case, for his
avalry corps had scarcely passed outof
Inc before the tongue of envy and
malice began to whisper that the run
way episode was conceived and per-
nitted by Custer, 'all for effect
This gallant young soldier had even
t the close of the war found enemies
mong those whom he had rapidly out
lstanced in the race for glory. Who
an say that he was ever forgiven or
hat this malign influence did not fol-
DIV him even to the day of his death.
endering him uncomfortable, unhap-
y and even uniting him to bear the
estraints imposed upon him? Who can
YER forget the tragic end of this heroic
1ldier? Whatever may have been his
'otlyes for the attack made by him
pom the overwhelming force of Indi-
rs ON the Big Horn, he had the courage
his convictions and sealed them with
lie sacrifice of his life. He will live in
STORY as the beau ideal of Americas
INalrNmen. '--Mas hinntnr, Ga ,