The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-10-10
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RELICS OF GENERAL CUSTER
Interesting Collection Secured by Ma.
tIonal Museum From Widow Of
Noted Indian Fighter.


Noted Indian Fighter.
An interesting collection has recent
ly been installed in the hall of history
In the National museum, consisting of
articles donated and lent by Mrs.
George A. Custer, widow of Brevet
Maj. Gen. George A. Custer, U. s. A.
General Custer is probably best re-
membered by his achievements in the
many Indian fights in which he par
| ticipated, and by his record as an
Indian scout. The collection includes
memento of this phase of his career
in the form of the white buckskin
coat in which he has been most often
pictured as a plainsman and scout.
This coat is in excellent condition,
and looks as If the general had just
removed it and hung it up. 1t has
deep collar and cuffs, and Is heavily
fringed with slashed buckskin trim
ming. The pockets are made much as
in modern sporting coats, while but
tons are of the regular army pattern
of the period. This coat calls to mind
the services which General Custer
rendered to the government in the
campaigns against the Sioux in 1875
and 1875, in the last of which, the
battle of the Little Big Horn, he met
his death.
Accompanying the coat is a yellow
plumed cavalry helmet and a buck
cl lnf dur
active service against the Indians
from 1866 to 1876 while lieutenant
colonel Seventh cavalry, U. S. A.
There is also blue regulation army
officers coat, with two starred straps,
plush collar and cuffs-the coat which
he wore on his marriage to Miss Eliz-
abeth Bacon. February 8. 1864. A
straight cavalry saber of tremendous
size is also included in the collection.
1t was spoil Of war captured by Ma
ior Drew, who presented it to General
Custer, since he knew of no other
man able to WELD such large feapon.
1t has Toledo blade, on which is en-
graved in Spanish, do not draw me
without cause and do not sheathe me
without honor"
A Virginia state flag, prize of the
generals personal prowess, captured
by him in 1861 when a lieutenant, is
also on display.
One object of great historical sig
nificance, though rather Of an unro-
rantic nature, is half of white towel
which figured consptcuously in the
battle just preceding the surrender of
that while General Lee had gone to
the rear of the Confederate lines to
secure an interview with General
Grant, leaving General Longstreet In
command, General Gordon's division
became hard pressed by the enemy
and called on Longstreet for assist
ance. Not being able to furnish as
sistance at this time, Longstreet sent
his inspector general, Major R. M.
Simms, to suggest to Gordon the
sending of flag of truce to the fed
erals requesting a suspension of hos
Lee and Grant. Following this sug-
gestion, Gordon at once dispatched
Simms to the federal commander,
Sheridan. with this request. AS Major
Simms galloped toward the lines Of
the federals he searched his haver-
sack for something white to cover his
advance, but found only a towel. This
he drew out and waved above his head
as he approached the enemy. The
Union soldiers caught sight of the
white towel, held their fire, and un.
der this improvised flag Simms was
allowed to enter the lines where he
was met by Colonel Whitaker and
taken to General Custer, who was in
command of that part Of the field. |
Neither of these officers, however,
cared to declare temporary cessa-
ton of hostilities just then, feeling
that they had the advantage of the
fight and held the southern army at
their mercy. So Simms was obliged
to return to his own lines without &C.
complishing his purpose. He left the
truce towel in the hands of Colonel
Whitaker. who took half of 1t and
gave the other portion to General Gus.
ter. 1t was only shortly after the in,
cident just mentioned that Sheridan
and Gordon met and established a
temporary truce which held until the
conference between Grant and Lee
terminated the war.
Most important among this collec.
tion of war relics Is little oval table
Of wood, much battered and SCARED,
on which General Grant wrote the let
ter containing the terms Of surren-
der of General Lee, at the home OF
Wilmer Mclean.
The collection also includes a pin
made from a piece of conch shell,
once a button from the coat of Gen
eral Washington, presented by a rela-
tive of the general to Custer. Later
Custer had 1t mounted in gold for his
wife, who wore it for many years as
a brooch.