The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-28
ATE cusIER's DINNER.

Story Told bys General Younger the
Confederate. Army.
General Pierce Young, Of Georgia. told
the following story Of the civil war to
a party Of friends In Washington a short
time before he died, with the understand
ing that It should not be published until
after his death:
He said General Custer, "Fitz, Lee and
himself had been fast friends before
the civil war, all being in the regular
army, a warm attachment for each other.
had developed. General Young conttn-s
5ued his story by saying after the out
break Of the civil war we were all IN
the cavalry arm Of the service, Fitz'
and myself in the Confederate and Gus
ter in the United States. Our cavalry
under Lee were in Northern Virginia
scouting after Custer. One morning:
g"Fitz' said to me: Pierce, suppose we
take a few men and go to the front
and see of we can stir up Custer this
morning. think he is sleeping "a ther
late for one who is looking for fight.
We took a small squad of men and
started in the direction Of Hunters Mill
On the road we stopped at farm house
and asked the good lady il she could
get US something to eat. She replied
there was nothing cooked, but if we
would wait she would soon have some
thing ready. The meal was soon pre-
pared, and when we commenced TO eat,
We sent our pickets ahead to keep watch
for Custer, as we knew he was likely
to turn up al any time. While enjoying
our breakfast we heard several sharp
rifle shots short distance up the road
in the direction we intended going.
f..F'itzs and myself made a dash for35ourl
horses, which were htched to the road
gate We quickly mounted, and none
too soon for our sLfety. We glanced up
the road and saw our pickets and men
coming at full speed, and in their rear,
giving pursuit, was Clusters cavalry. We
Joined in the retreat towards our COM
mand and reached there in good time.
Custer did not pursue us very far. w 9
rallied the command at the camp anG
s..Fitz' said: I'VE will go back and see
what has become Of Custer.
When we reached the house where our
breakfast had been prepared. but which
We failed to eat. it was suggested that
the meal be finished, but the good lady.
smilingly, said General Custer ate your
breakfast. and he requested me to say
to General Lee that he did so because
he thought it would be cold before you
returned. and he enjoyed it very much
after his morning ride. But, said the
lady, you can eat General Clusters din
ner. He left Just rev minutes aSo'
saying. tell Generals Lee and Young
that I ate, their breakfast, but they can
have my dinner, as I have not the time
to finish it, He had paid for dinner for
himself and staff. and was about ready
to sit down to the table when some one
informed him Of our advance with
large force We finished Clusters din
ner AMI enjoyed it immensely.
Sometime after this incident was out
on a foraging expedition. and called at
= farm house and asked II could get
something to eat. why, certainly,
said the lady of the house, you can
share such as we have. General Custer
left here ten minutes ago, and he told
me to say to General Lee, If he ever
came this way that he had left a bottle
with me for him. Now. If you will take
1t to him here it Is took the bottle
in good faith. intending to deliver II 70
.F'itz," but the weather was SO cold Il
was compelled to appropriate the con-
.tents. never told "Fitz" about 1t.
although my conscience has often chided
me for treatingata friend and brother
officer so badly.
Custer was noble man. I love ms
memory, concluded the old Confederate
Veteran.