The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-04-05
CUsTERs LAST BATTLE.

sIt Is a fact not very widely known.
said a retired army officer the other day,
"that no less an officer than General Cus-
ter came to his death through the deser-
ton from his ranks of common soldier.
You won't hear OF this story from the Of
ficers now holding commission In the
army. and when I've told you the story
you win understand why IL isn't spoken
OF to the reporters.
Cluster was a born cavalry leader. His
reputation was made by dashing, dare
devil attacks, such as marked the close
OF his career. In other respects he was
not a great soldier. He died fighting
and one Is TO remember In judging him
that he lived In ruder times than ours.
Custer was one OF the men of the plains
OF that earlier day when the Indians
scaiping knife had frequent need OF
sharpening. and white rascal some
times found the wages OF sin to be a
rope. a tree limb. and five minutes to
pray The generals failings were close
Is related to his genius for the dashing
fight. He was apt to take close chances.
1T was in 116 several months before
The battle OF Little Big Horn, and Custer
was out with his cavalry chasing the IN
dams over the plains. They were see
ing a hard life and the Indians, as you
VIII remember, were In constant rebel
lion about that time. Custer and his
men were hot on the trail OF a band OF
sayages. when one night a man was
found 10 be missing. For a While all
were puzzled to account for his disap-
pearance. The scouts, however, found
HIS tracks and followed far enough to
assure them that the soldier had left
voluntarily and with the purpose OF de-
sorting Custer and his brother Tom
were furious at this desertion at the
moment when they were hoping to eaten
I'D with and punish the enemy.
ION the morning following the dis
coyery they followed the deSerter's
tracks a little farther: then they turned
back and resumed the pursuit or the In
dams II was late that afternoon when
a scout discerned the figure OF a solitary
horseman riding toward the little troop.
Soon Custer and several other officers
had their glasses leveled on this man.
He turned his horse a bit 10 one side
as though to ride around the soldiers
Suddenly one OF the watchers saw a
cloud OF dust beyond the rider and soon
they knew they had come up with a
party OF Indians and that the sayages
were I'm pursuit OF the man on horseback
The soldiers made signals and shouted TO
the pursued man, and he, seeming to
aid. turned and rode toward the troop.
las he came nearer. the Indians still
in pursuit. the officers holding glasses
exchanged inquiring looks. The man
wore the blue uniform of their country
and rode like a trooper. The Indians
were plainly following now out OF their
pure daredevil spirit. The man rcde
more slowly. Custer and his brother
Tom rode out together ahead OF the troop
TO meet him. Suddenly they put their
field glasses down and looked each other
In the eyes and nodded. and spurred for
ward They drew up together when close
upon the man. The generals voice rang
out so that all his troop heard:
." It's that d-n deserter.' he cried.
Then both Clusters raised their reyOlycrs
and shot the man dead.
THAT was the Custer temper. II
brought the general trouble enough for
such summary method OF dealing with
n deserter made a scandal that spread
all over the country. Custer was severe
" censured. He came East and tried 70
regain his position OF favor. Sheridan
was a stanch friend OF his and worked
for him. but the Observation-Disclosures
so affected by the story OF the shooting
that he refused 10 see Custer when she
latter presented himself At the White
House
General Custer returned 10 the plains
sheridan was commanding officer over
that territory. and Sheridan was his
friend In Clusters mind there was but
one thOuEht-how 20 regain favor. He
could think OF but one answer. He must
win again. as he had often won before
the admiration OF all men In a dashing
charge and gallant fight.
1T was not long before Clusters oppor-
funIfy came to him. The battle OF the
Little Horn was 4 desperate venture and