The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1907-02-08
A MEMORIAL TO GENERAL GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER
MICHIGANS MOST BRILLIANT AND DISTINGUISHED SOLDIER
Legislature Appropang
$4,000 a Monroe. His Former Home

into confusion, but Custer quickly raj
lied and reformed them. and carry
ing their wounded, he dashed off to
small hill nearby, where he dis
mounted his soldiers and formed them
for battle. The Indians followed and
surrounded the troops and in less than
an hour the battle was all over"
The letter corroborates the state.
ment of Indian scouts that there was
white man amongst the Indians.
The movement for monument
ought to attract support from the
great number who are familiar with
Clusters exploits and who are not
willing that his name should die out
of Michigan. Monroe, as his early
home and the place where he spent
his infrequent leisure, is fitting place
for the monument that shall be raised.
Mrs. Custer is still living and is at
present in Europe Custer was not
rich in this worlds goods; indeed. far
otherwise. The Monroe home belonged
to his wife, although Clusters parents
lived in il for years. Ii was over
the gate of this house, still standing
that his wife-then a little giri-used
to look with wonder on the antics or
he Custer boy.
Her father, Judge bacon left her a
little property, Gen Custer carried a
life insurance pol:Cy of $4,000, her
literary works have 1etted her some
hing, and some charmlngly kind
friends she has made see To il that
4 widow of brave general does not
lack.
In the battle of the Little Big Horn
zen. Clusters sister lost a husband.
three brothers and a nephew and the
way the news was received in Monroe
is remembered to this day.
Mr.. Richard Roberts, a correspond
ent for the New York Sun, accom-.
panied the expedition of Gen. Custer.
had a most miraculous escape from
sharing the horrible fate which over.
took the command. His story as told
the writer when he returned TO Mon.
roe in 1876 is interesting in this con.
nection.
Mr.. Roberts Narrative.
He was with Clusters command on
this expedition until IL arrived at the
Rosebud river, about seventy miles
from the scene of the conflict. at which
point his horse gave out, and he was
obliged TO fall behind, but afterwards
Joining his brother who was In Col.
RenO's command. His information as
to facts concerning the battle is sub
stanually the same as has already
been given, gathered as it was from
the scouts who first brought the news
of the massacre He, however, cor.
reefs the erroneous statements that
/ Rain-in-the-face was the one who killed
Gen. Custer; it was in reality Red
hand, as asserted by the scouts. IL
was Rainin-the-face who took out the
heart of Col. Tom Custer and had a
war dance around il. He was a bloody.
handed fiend and his name was well
| bestowed, who had threatened TO take
out Col. Toms heart and dance on il,
in revenge for an arrest made by him
in 1873. The warrant was issued for
murder committed by this savage
and two companies of cavalry were
sent to aid in the arrest. Tom, who
commanded the troops, made the ar
rest personally, going among the In,
dians, who were ugly, and taking Red
hand by the arm, dragged, him out
This Indian was taken to Fort In
coin, but afterwards escaped from the
guard house.
The Burial Of the Dead Soldiers.
Mr.. Roberts stated that Gen. Gus.
te-, his officers and men, were buried
irst where they fell. Reno's command
had but two or three spades and
shovels, and while these were used to
dig the graves, the men filled them
by using such utensils as they had
tin plates, cups, pans, knives; others
used their hands in performing these
last sad rites for the unfortunate fel
low soldiers. The graves were care
fully marked by driving at each head
hollow stake containing a roll OF
paper with the name and company
then tightly plugged up; number was
then burned into the stake and driven
out of sight. Corresponding numbers
and memoranda were prepared and
placed in the keeping of Capt. Nolan
of Clusters regiment. Mr.. Roberts
states that the number killed CORE
sponded with the roll, showing that
not a man escaped, nor was one miss
ing.
The Association formed at Monroe
for the purpose OF carrying forward
the project as announced have select
ed the following committee:
Hon. j. G. Burrows. ..... Kalamazoo
Hon. VIM. Alden Smith. Grand Rapids
Hon. Russell A. Alger ....... Detroit
Hon. Chas. K. Townsend Jackson
Hon. James B. Angel. 49,. Ann Arbor
Hon. Flagget Trabbic. Erie
| Gen O. w Harrah D>.-1t.
Gen. VIM. G. McGurrin. Grand Rapids
Kt. Rev John s. Foley, ID. ID. Detroit
Hon. James V. Barry. ... Lansing
Hon. III. A. Conant. Monroe
Hon. Burton Parker. Monroe
John M. Buckley (hiztorian) Monroe
r. A MINIS. .................. Monroe
capt Irving Harrington...... Monroe
MAYOR Geo. +. Heath. ...... Monroe
A: 10 bragdon, Sr....... Monroe
Chas. Il. Greening, secretary Monroe