Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-21
AN IDEAL CAVAlRYM
General Custer as He Appeared in the Grand
Review.
RecoIlections of One Who Saw Him
NJ Il
Like n Tabled Centaur.

whenever I hear the name of Custer"
said Chief Clerk Bracket of the Treasury
Department, while in reminiscent mood
the other day, at brings memorable
scene wildly to my minds eye. 1t occurred
during that magnificent pageant that
marched up Pennsylvania avenue, in the
summer of '65, during the grand review of
the great army on its return from the bat
tleficlds of the south. on it's way home,
where all were to doff the habiiments of
war and don those of peace. Conspicuous
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 far-famed corps.
IAN endless host they seemed, as COM
pany after company, and regiment after
regiment, hurried by, with sabers rafting,
horses prancing, iron hoofs beating tatto
on the pavement and ever and anon a
bugle pea!ing forth an order to which man
and horse alike responded on the instant of
its delivery. Bronzed and hardy, with the
dear old flag and guidon waving in null
titude 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 reflex of the youthful. brave
and gifted general who rode at their head,
sitting his beautiful horse like a tabled
centaur, his long, silk-like hair falling over
his shoulders, and his splendid presence
everywhere securing the hearty plaudits
of the multitudes who We're witnessing the
grand review. 1t was my good fortune that
day to be in position where could see
every officer and soldier at his best or, IN
other words, when he was passing the
grand commanders VINO were satnereo on
sfan nd -
Sheridan. Meade, Logan, hancock ana
many others.
AT one point about 500 feet distant from
the reviewing stand and N 'front.' Oh Tue sue
walk 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 magnificent wreath was there LOT zen
Custer and when he reached the proper
point a lady stepped into the middle OF
The avenue and held out the wreath toward
the general for his acceptance. rms SORT
of a presentation did not suit the spirited
charger bearing the general, and as con-
sequence there ensued struggle between
horse and rider for the mastery AND II
was a battle royal, resulting in what may
probably be termed draw, for although
the general forced the horse near enough
10 secure the wreath 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 a
more than a square away, ahead of the
column, past the reviewing officers and
nearly to 18th street before the general re-
gained control over him. It'was. a marvel
Gus picture presented by horse and man.
and showed to the assembled multitude a
typical cavalryman, young. handsome, dash
ing and brave, rushing to the front, just
as he was wont to do on the day of battle.
1t was truly a day of triumph for him.
for he returned to the head of the col
umn thousands Joined in the applause given
this gallant soldier. Mans inhumanity to
man makes countless thousands mourn.
This is fully exemplified in Gen. Clusters
case, for his cavalry corps had scarcely
passed out of line before the tongue of
envy and malice began to whisper that the
runaway episode was conceived and per-
mitted by Custer, all for effect
This gallant young soldier had even at
the close Of the war found enemies among
those whom he had rapidly eutdistanced in
the race for glory. Who can say that he
was ever forgiven or that this malign In
fiuence did not follow him even to the day
of his death. rendering him uncomfortable.
unhappy and uniting him to bear the
restraints imposed upon him? Who can
ever forget the tragic end of this heroic
soldier? Whatever may have been his mo-
lives for the attack made by him upon the
overwhelming force of Indians on the Big
horn. he had the courage of his convic-
lions and sealed them with sacrifice of
his life. He will live in history as the
beau ideal of Americas cavalrymen"