The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-05-31
az ALFRED J. PITTS
STAR correspondent The Times.l


MONROE. Mich, May 3l.-of all the
stories that have come down OF the re-
markable life history of Gen. Geo. A
Custer, none is more interesting than
that told by Frederick A. Minis, VINO
was personal aide 10 Gen. Custer III
the civil war Mr.Nims Is living mere
He Is a retired farmer. Saturday when
the imposing equestrian statue OF Gen.
Custer is unveiled Mr.. Minis Will De
there TO gaze, with thousands or oth-
crs. upon the memorial In which shines
The splendot of a brave soldier, stflck-
en- down by the Indians In the mas
sacre OF the Little Big Horn riwi IN
Montana,
When the north and the south were
arrayed against each other In the
greatest conflict of modern times,
Young Custer was snatched from the
military precincts Of West Point
where he had graduated on June "a
1861. as second lieutenant. He Was
assigned TO the Second United States
cavalry. This regiment had formerly
been commanded by Robert y. Lee,
no, shortly after young Custer loihsu
the regiment, had left the united
States army and cast his lot with the
state OF Virginia.
Young Minis, then about 20 years
old, two and half years younger IMAM
Custer. Joined the Fifth Michigan cav
airy as lieutenant OF volunteers. rms
company was assembled In Detroit
The two Monroe boys eventually met
and we're afterwards together on the
hattlefeld-Custer as commander OF
regiment and Minis as his personal
aide. Young Minis was with Custer ut
the memorable battle OF Gettysburg.
where the blood of $4,000 soldiers was
shed: at the battle Of the Wilderness
the Potomac and other struggles that
r7arked the civil war
"He Was a Born Leader"
Ask Mr.. Minis today to what he at
tributes Gen. Clusters continued sue
cess and rapid promotion as soldier
and he will tell you that the youth
who was snatched from the obscuflty
Of a humble home In Monroe TO De
trained as soldier developed wisdom,
integrity, firmness and courage aha
had all the essentials that make Tor e.
great future.
HE was born leader said Mr..
Nims. HE was always cautious De
fore he plunged into a great fight. and,
vet he was always willing to take
chance. believing that fearlessness
would crown him with success. True
70 his ideal he never missed the cue
of the moment. Though facing q
constant stress OF hardship and sorely
tried from hour to hour, he never
lost his balance.
I'm the battles OF Bull Run, Get
tysburg, the Wilderness and other
great struggles, Lieut.. Custer was
conspicuously gallant and was deco
ated for his heroic deeds. Custer and
his company were among the last To
leave the Inflated Bull Run battle
field, rescuing on their way to Wash
-turton Cen ffeintzelmaIs,-~he -had
been wounded In the battle.
"Lieut. Custer had exceptional tact
I'm dealing with his men and always
Was able to spur them on to strike the
hardest possible blow. AS his per
sonal aide I had rare opportunity u
study him as a leader on the battle
field. We were schoolmates In Mon
roe and used to play marbles together
on the spot where the statue. which
will be unveiled Saturday, no"
stands. His every movement in con
aict was OF a born leader. He drew
ND his plans with the minutest de
tail and was always master OF his
subject.
Promoted for Gallantry.
His rapid promotion attests his
calibre as a military genius. He was
made a brigadier.general of volun
teers for his unusual gallantry ir
June. 1863: major United States army
for checking the Confederate attempt
10 turn the left flank OF the Union
army at Gettysburg July 3, 1868;
brevetted a lieutenant colonel for con
spicnous gallantry in Sheridan's raid
towards Richmond. He was I'm com
mand OF the cavalry division which
went in pursuit Of Gen. Robert +. Lee
IN April, 1865. and received his regu
lar promotion as maior-general o
volunteers upon Lees surrender.
After the grand review that com
fnemorated the end OF the Civil war
I went TO Texas with Gen. Custer, still
serving as HIS aide We went TO Gin
clnnatl and then sailed down TIT
Ohio 10 New Orleans. thence t
Shreveport and to the Rio Grande