The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-10-25

. RELICS OF CUSTER
. SEEN az MUSEUM :

AZ interesting oSliecuon has recendy
been installed IN the Hsn Of History In
the National Museum. SAYS a Wash
.uS1on paper. CONSISTING u articles 10
mated and lent bS Mr.. George A. Gus
ter WsdeW al Trevet Mai Gen George
a. CRsieE L. : A.
Gen Custer is prc0aely best remem-
lsrea by his achievements Ia tie many
Indian hghts IN wAsch be participated,
ana BY ms record as AZ Indian scout.
The collection .ncludes a nemeRio Il
ihis phase 81 his cSreor, in the form e
me white buciskin cost in which he
has been most often pictured as =
p.ainsmSn and scout. That cost is in
excellent condition. II has deep collar
and cuas. and is heavily friHged With
Sisshed bucilsktn irimmine.
The coat calls &c mind the services
which Gen. Custer rendered 10 the
government IN TIRE campaign asainst
the Sioux in 1875 and 1876 In the last
II which. the battle OF Little Big Horn
he met his death.
Accompanying the coat is a yellow
p.umed cavalry helmet and bucksldn
ssuRtlet. both worn during his active
service aeainst ths Indians from 1866
10 1915. while nutcnsnt colonel Sev-
enth Cavalrv, a. $. A.
There is also a blue regulation army
officers cost with two starred straps,
plOsh collar and cuffs-thc coat which
he wore ca the occasion of his mar
rage 10 Miss Elizabeth BACON ON
Feb. 9, 1864. \ straight cavalry saber
Il tremendous size is also Included in
The collection. IL vas a spoil Of war
captured BY Mai. Drew, who pre-
scented IL 10 Gen. Custer. since he
knew II no other man able TO wield
such large weapon. Ii has a Toledo
blade on which is engrayed in Span
ISL. DO not draw me without cause
and dc not shcathe me without
honor"
a Virginia State nag, prize Of the
generals personal prowess. captured
by him in 1861. when lieutenant is
also or display. Ii is supposed To be
the first standard captured by the
Army IF the Potomac.
One object of great historical signifi-
canoe, though Of rather an unroman.
tic nature, is half of a white towel.
which figured conspicucusly in the
battle just preceding the surrender Of
Sen. Lee AT AppomattoX. Ii seems that
while Gen. Lee had gone to the rear
Of the Confederate lines To secure an
interview with Gen. Grant, leaving
Gen. Lnngstreet in command, Gen
Gordons division became hard pressed
1y the enemy and called On Lpngstreet
for assistance. Not beng able To Err
nish assistance at that time Lorg-
street sent his inspector general. Maj.
r.. NJ. Simms, 10 suggest To Gor.'on
the sending of "A flag Of truce To the
fe1crals. requesting suspension OF
hostilitles pending The Interview be-
tween Lee and Grant. Following this
suggestion, Gordon at once dispatched
Si:nms to the federal commander
Sheridan, with this request.
AS Mai. Simns galloped toward the
lines Of the Federals he searched ais
hyversack for something white 10 COW
er his adVarce, but found only a towel
This he drew out and waved above his
head as he approached the enemy. The
Union soldiers, catching sight Of the
white towel held their. fire, and under
this improvised flag Simms was allow
ed 10 enter the lines, where he was met
by Col. Whitaker ard taken to Gen
Custer. who was in command of that
part of the field.
Most important among this collection
If war relics is q little oval table Cd
wood. much battered and Scared, on
which Gen. Grant wrote the letter con
tanning the terms of surrender to Con
Lee. at the home of Winter Mclean
near AppomattoX Court House, Va. I'm.
mediately after this event the table
was purchased by Gen Sheridan AND
given 10 Gen. Custer as "a present foi
his wife Gen Sheridan's letter OF
presentation dated April lC 1865. IN,
day following the surrender, which Is
included in the collection, corroborates
this statement