The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-08-16

(By GLENDOLIN DAMON wAGNER)

Co-Author Of Blankets and Moccasins,"
Author Of Old Nutriment."
Through the eyes of old John
Burkman We get interesting close
up views Of General George A. Gus
ter, the brave, fiery soldier, SO fire.
quently discussed and so little under
stood. John served under the general
the last nine years of the latter's
life, in Kentucky following the Civil
war, then during the march from
Kentucky to Yankt0n, in the 1873
campaign under Stanley, in the Black
Hills expedition, and finally, on the
last march of all from Fort Lincoln
to h Rosebud and on to the Little
Big Horn.
Johns mind chung to the past and
to the general he served and loved;
to the happy days when his chief con-
Germ was the welfare of the Custer
horses and dogs and the comfort of the
general and Miss Libby" Through
beautiful home life of husband and
wife, bound together by a love and 10y
atty and understanding that death it
self could not quite destroy. He shared
with them, as humble servant and
proud friend, the intimacy of their
jokes and laughter, the hilarity of their
family frolics.
The general, John tells us, was ex-
tremely fond of onions, and braved his
wife's disapproval by eating them
whenever he had an opportunity. In the
spring of 1876 John, at Clusters sug-
gestion, had spaded some ground back
sowed it to onions. The tender green
sprouts were just showing when the
7th left Fort Lincoln for its last march,
and Custer, John tells us, eyed them
gleefully, smacking his lips in anticipa-
ton of the onions he'd have upon his
return to the fort, and begging miss
Libby" to promise she'd see they were
we'll watered.
According to John the months of the
last winter at Fort Lincoln were I'M
usually carefree and peaceful and gay.
Often the servant soldier and his be-
loved superior officer "quarreled," for
sists that upon every occasion when
the general was in the wrong, he came
to his orderly with frank and ready
apologies.
Once Custer. who not only did not
touch liquor but also strove to lift
the moral Of the 7th to a higher level,
caught John with a bottle to his lips
and reprimanded him sharply.
According to John, II said I wasn't
drinking liquor. The general said I
was. I said I wasn't. And it worked
me up considerable because the gen.
eral knowed I never lied to him, So I
decided I'd git transferred to another
regiment. I figured that'd trouble the
knowing he couldn't ever get any n to
tend our horses and dogs like me. But
he didn't say anything and I got ready
to move, but I felt pretty glum. Then
a sergeant come to me and said it was
the generals orders that when I left
had to leave my horse behind. So
decided to stay. Then the general came
to me and his eyes was twinkling. !
knew a way to keep you with US, john
he said. And then he held out his
hand and said: I was hasty, John. ]
then we was friends agin. Another
time just after the Key West came I
seen the general with a bottle and ]
tiptoed up behind him, but he turned.
quick, and laughed, and showed me
it was Jamica Ginger he was drink
ing"
But once, when John was i'll. Custer
remarked: John, you aren't feeling
well. are you?"
well, you 60 to Mrs. Custer. Tell
her I sent you. Tell her to have Mary
mix you a drink-hot brandy, thick
with pepper, and then go to bed"
According to John no officer in the
army was so considerable of the men,
their health and happiness as was Gus
ter. 1T was about this time" John
reminisced, II come by my nickname,
The general said whilst I wasn't feel
ing well I'd better take my meals in
the kitchen. And Mary-thatis the
colored girl that worked for the Gus
ters-she was such a good cook I want
in no particular hurry to get well. And
the troopers would watch me come out
of the kitchen, filled up with her pies