The National tribune., 1903-05-07
CUSTER'S FIRST BATTLE.
The Story of the Defeat of the Louisiana
Tigers Told by a Participant.
BY VI. A. LUCE.

After the tiercely- battle of
Williamsburg, McClellans army moved
cautiously toward Richmond.
Yorktown and Williamsburg had added
no luster to its fame, but had developed
excellent fighting qualities in its soldiers.
Gen. Mcclellan had gained confidence in
their fighting qualities, but had also
learned the fighting qualities of the army
opposing him; and although Williamsburg
was fought on the 9TH day of May, his
army did not reach the upper Chickahom-
my, near New Bridge, until May -. where
he found the enemy ready to contest the
passage of the river. The stream was only
about 60 feet wide at this place. but was
lined on both sides by swamps and deep
morasses, so that the approaches to the
bridge, as well as the bridge itself, became
of some strategical Importance.
Geo. a. Custer, just graduated from
West Point, had joined the army at York
town as Il Lieutenant in the 9th U. S.
Cav. He was only u years of age, slen-
der in build, with long, fiaxen hair and
careless in dress. With Lieut.. Bowen, of
the Typographical Engineer Corps, he
made q reconnaissance of the river and
found fordable place about 800 yards
above the bridge, which they reported to
Gen. Mcclellan. He soon afterward sent
for them, and in the conversation Custer
claimed that with Il small force he could
capture the bridge. At his suggestion he
was allowed to select regiment from his
own State, and chose the 4th Mich, num-
bering about 500 men, and commanded by
Col. Woodbury..
The expedition was under the immediate
command of Lieut.. Bowen. but with him
We're several other officers; among whom
was Capt James w. Forsyth, 18th U. s.,
and ut present Commander of the Depart
ment of California.
The 18th Mich. broke camp soon after
midnight, but the night and morning were
rainy and foggy, and it was after day
break before they had made their way
through the intervening timber to the
vicinity of the ford discovered the day be-
fore.
Here the same tactics were decided upon
which were used many times later by Gen.
Custer, and which at last resulted in the
disaster of the Little Big Horn
Custer detached from the regiment and
took command of Cos. A and B-about 10
home of Monroe, Mich.-and with these
forded the river, while the remainder of
the command formed line perpendicular
to the river, and moved down toward the
bridge.
The approaches and bridge were defend
ed by Manly's battery of artillery, station
ed on the adjoining bluffs and Semmess
brlSaue OF Infantry, composed OF LOUIS
lana and Georgia troops. The 9TH La. and
10th Ga. We're at the front along the line
of the stream to contest its passage, and
were the ones more Immediately engaged
Examine for a moment the daring ma
ture of the enterprise now entered upon
There was no artillery or reserve infantry
to support the attack or to protect the
force in case of defeat. The attacking
force did not exceed one-fourth in number
of the defenders, who had chosen a strong |
position for defense. The small force |
divided, with a river between, lined with |
swamps. Five hundred farmer boys, I'M
used to war, and led by youngster just |
from the Academy, were being dashed |
against this veteran brigade of valOrous
But the holiness and de-
cisive action of this born leader won a vic
tory.
Custer pushed his men rapidly down the |