The Marshall republican., 1902-02-28
Clusters Last Battle.

ut Ia Q feet not very widely known"
said . retired army oficer the other
day, ''thst no less On oficer than
General Custer came 70 his death
through the desertiou from his ranks
OF . common soldier. You won't hear
Of this story from the officers nov
holding . commission In the army,
and when I've told you tie story you
will understand why Il isn't spoken Of
to the reporters.
Cluster was . born cavalry leader.
His reputation vas made by dashing,
daredevil attacks, sucl, - marked
the close Of his career. Ia other re.
spects he was not = great soldier. He
died q yhting and one 10 to remember
Ia judging him that he lived In ruder
times than ours. Custer was M Of
the met Of the plains Of that earlier
day when the Indians scslping knife
had frequent need OF sharpening, and
. white rascal sometimes found the
wages Of sin To he . rope. . tres limb,
snd i've minutes 10 pray. The ge err
ais failings were closely related To
his genius for the dsshine fight. He
was apt tO take close chances,
ut was In 1875, several months be.
fore the battle ri Little Big Horn, aud
WoS VuN Suob-
ing the Indians over the plains. They
were seeing Y hard life and the 1ndi.
ans. rs you will remember. were In
constant rebellion about that time.
Custer and his men were hot on the
trail Of . band Of sHvsges, when one
night . man WAS found 10 be missing.
For . while oil yer puzzled To sc.
count for his disappearance. The
scouts, however. found his tracks and
followed far enough u assure them
that the soldier had left voluntarily
and with the purpose Of deserving.
Custer and his brother, Tom were fu.
riOus NJ this desertiOn at the moment
wuen they were hoping To catch UP
with and punish the enemy.
'Ou the morning following the dis.
cOvery they followed the desterter's
tracks . little farther; then they turn.
ed back and resumed the pursuit. Of
the Indians. II was late thst after.
nOOn when . scout diseerned the hg.
ure Of . solitary horsemsn riding 70.
ward the little troop. soon Custer
and several other officers had their
glasses leveled on this man. He turn.
ed his horse . bit To one side o.
though To ride around the soldiers.
Suddenly q ~ the watchers saw q
cloud Of Iust beyond the rider and
soon they knew they had come up with
"A party Of Indians and that the saw.
ayes were In pursuit az the mi On
horseback. The soldiers made sig.
mails and shouted tn the pursued man.
and he, seeming To despair Of escap.
Ing the Indians without aid, turned
and rode toward the troop
'As he came nearer. the Indians
still In pursuit, the officers holding
glasses exchanged inquiring looks,
The man wore the blue uniform Of
their country aud rode like . trooper.
The Indians were plainly following
now out Of their pure daredevil
spirit. The man rode more slowly.
Custer and his brother Tom rode out
together ahead ~ the troop tn meet
him. Suddenly they put ihti r field
In the eyes and nodded. and spurred
forward. They drew up together
when close rpOn the nan The gener.
ais voice rang out so that eli his
troop heard.
- It's that d-n deserter.' ne cried.
Then both Clusters raised their revolt
vers and shot the man dead.
THAT was the Custer temper. II
brought the general trouble enough.
for such q summary method Of dealing
with o deserter made a scandal that
spread all over the country. Custer
~ severely censured. He came East
and tried Ia regain his position Of ia.
vOr. Sheridan was u stnnch friend ~
his and worked for him. hut the presi.
dent-Grant-was 81 affected by the
story ri the shooting that he refused
"a see Custer when the latter present.
nl hlnaoll NJ tho White Honao