The New York Herald Newspaper, July 16, 1876, Page 3

THE FIGHTING CUSTER The Grief for the Gold-Haired Cavalry- man in His Adopted State. AN OLD TROOPER'S STORY. At the Old Home—A Gray-Huired Fathers’ Cureless Grief. “THEY WERE BRAVE, GOOD BOYS.” How the General Won the Hearts of His Men— How He Fought to Whip. THRILLING WAR REMINISCENCES. “Sir'ke Dp ‘Yankee Doodie’ and Play for All She's Worth WHERE SHALL HIS GRAVE BE? BT eS Moxnor, Mich., July 12, 1876 Drooping down over the front of the main hotel in Monroe, Mich., are two Americaa flags, bordered with crape. They have been there for days, and they will remain there untilrain and dust and sun and breeze shal! work their destruction. ‘Two blocks down the street there is a sad group of photographs, made more sad by the solemn crape twined over and around the background of flags. nereoecececeeoeeee: ee oasencoe 3 LIBUTENANT CALHOUN, THOMAS, CUSTER, REED. 3 3 BosTox, read the cards under the photograps, which are ar- ranged in'the order named. Women stop before that window and weep. Men halt there, brush away a teur, and sigh, “Poor Custer—poor boys !”” There aro other flags, bordered with black; there are other sad pivtures to see; there are hundreds of aching, grieving hearts in Monroe, the home of Gen- eral Custer, the home of his parents, the home of his wife and the brothers who fell with him and be- tide bim. Last night when twilight came, I sat on the broad veranda running around three sides of the roomy, well kept home of the dead General’s parents—sat there beside a good old man, whose form was bent, whose bair was white and whose heart was grieving so that he sould hardly speak. Within, hugging her great sorrow in the darkness, was the wife and mother, starting up at every strange footstep, her heart throbbing wildly as &@ new voice was heard. “BRADQUARTERS."” “Yes, the boys made this their headquarters, as it were,” sighed the father, ‘ When the General was off duty, or Thomas or Boston had leave of absence, they came here to fatner and mother and home. It isa pleasant roomy mansion, surroanded by shade and {fronting a handsome street; but a shadow has fallen upon it which no sunshine can ever brighten. Few parents have ever been called upon, when their heads were frosted with age and their hearts losing courage, to bear such a blow as this. ‘Three sons, ason-in-law and a grandson (the young man Reed), died together, leaving no tongue to tell how desperately and how well they tought. THE FAMILY SURVIVORS, Mr. Caster is nearly seventy years old, while his ‘wife is sixty-eight, Each one has been twice married, ‘end each had children whom, this last marriage was consummated. There 1s @ son left, aman of about ‘thirty-five years of age; a daughter, the wife of Li tenant Calhoun, and perhaps the late General Custer’s ‘wife may be classed with the family. She is the daugh ter of Judge Bacon, of Monroe, and with her, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, is Mrs. Calhoun, who went out with her for company’s sake. The young will rally from ‘the blow, but the parents, pear the gravo at best, will grieve and sorrow and soon pass away. The family are much respected, and in this their hour of deepest sorrow they have the sympathy of all the townspeo- ple, who flock in to speak words of kindnesg and conso- Jaton, “GuorGE:”” “They were all good boys,” said the gray-hairea father as we sat close together in the darkness, while ‘he band on the public square sent soit, sad notes to meet the breezo borne on the troubled lake. “They were brave, good boys, and my home was their home. George was a soldier when the war commenced, won promotion very fast, and, of course, I had to feel proud of him. What he got he won by hard fighting, and we all know it.”? HIS YOUTH. General Custer was born in Harrison county, Ohia His father was a farmer during all tne General’s child- hood and boyhood, and the boy who was to lead men in the wild charge used to handle plough and rake nod hoe, When about sixteen years of age he made his home ut Monroe fora while and attended school Reiurning to Harrison county he attended school there for some time, and at length became a teacher and acted in that capacity for about six months. HIS CHARACTERISTICS. Sitting beside the grieving fmther 1 told him that some of the papers had charged his son with being vain and working to secure praise, and that others had spoken of him as impetuous and reckless. “They should not have said so,” he replied. “I am his father, and shoulan’t a fatber know the character- istics of his own son? He was neither proud nor vain. He fought to whip and not for praise. he was not reckiess, He had much to live for, and he would not shrow his life away. No, no. They wrong my dead boy, They shouidn’t say so.” A PLUCKY YOUNG MAN. After he had passed his fifteenth birthday young Duster began to feel the military epirit move within bim, and that spirit grew stronger as time went on. He desired to become a professions! soldier, aad ne knew that the read was through West Poiut. To secure ‘an appointment as cadet he must bave the influence of Jobn A. Bingham, the member of Congress counting Garrison county in his district. The father could not ud bim, as his party principles were opposed to Bing- ‘tam, and young Custer made his first start and ex- Ribited the mettle in his nature. He took tne earliest opportanity to introduce himself to Mr, Bingham, and shis 18 the way he did it. Walking upto the member of Congress, each one of whom was looked upon with aweand reverenco twenty years ago, yoang Custer made a respectful bow and frankly said:— “Mr, Bingham, my ni is George A. Custer, andl ant to go to West Point and make myseil a soldier.’’ Bingham admirod the young man’s piuck, entered into friendly conversation, and the result was that Cadet George A. Custer’s name soon appeared upon the rollsat West Point. His history trom that day to within a month of bis death has been written by him. self and eagerly read by thousands. THE OTHERS. Captaiu Thomas W. Custer entered the service just as Sberman started on his grand march. He eoroiled with the infantry, but before the war closed was trans- ferred to the cavairy under command of the General, and bad been with him ever since. The other son was employed in the Commissary Department, bus the bravery and the dash running in the veins of the Cus- ter family forced him to share the dangers of that last and gt-ndest charge made by a General whose record is ax bright as gold. THX PERLING IX MONROE, ‘The sad news tasking along was caught at Toledo and ent across to Monroe, to the postmaster, Not all vl i, nora hall, but a few words to the effect that a long despaich, announcing the massacre, was being seul over the country. The postmaster carried the weiegram up to the Caster mansion, feeling quite fous, but yet mot crediting the nowa No ove in Mon- roe beleveu that such a vutchery bad taken placo—no one but the Custers. “| doo’t know why 1 believed ut,’ explained the "NEW YORK HERALD, § UNDAY, JULY 16, 1876—TRIPLE SHEET. father, ‘because a score of such rumors had comeevery year; but from the very rst I gave up all bope.” There was such grief in Monroe when the news was never be again, Scarce six weeks bad elapsed since General Spaulding, Colonel Grovenor, Major Bates and scores of others had met the General on the streets, and they could not make it geem that he was dead. At a public meeting called by the Mayor spéeches {nll of broken words of sorrow were made, buildings were draped in mourning, and such was the intense anxiety to learn even the small- est additional particutars that the telegraph office was constantly blockaded. Prominent citizens aro now making an effort to secure the bodies of the Custers, and there is some hope that they may scucced. A PRTITION. The soldier sons were the main it not the sole sup- port of their good parents. A petition, nomerously signed in Monroe and Detroit, has been {forwarded to Senator Ferry with a request that be present it to Congress, 1t asks that a pension be granted the parents, and Congress could not testify its respect toa brave family in any nobler mapner. ALL LIKED HIM, General Custer was no more admired for bis gallantry than he was liked for bis genial manners in social life. He was often in Detroit and Toledo when on leave of absence, and was an enthusiastic member of the Audubon Club of the former city. He presented the club one of the finest collections of Indian trophies to be found in the West, and I may here say that many similar articles reached the family homestead in his trunks, Monroe was his home, but every city and village in the State bas draped flags to his memory and thought tenderly of his aged parents. ‘THE HARVESTER. Brave and gallant and true —and Custer is dead! The other day, when I rode along the dusty bighway, and broke the sad news to a bronzed faced harvester, swinging a cradle among the golden grain, his lips whitened, his band shook and as he brushed a tear away he whispered :— “I would have given my right arm to save his aye, I woukt have died in his place!”” . He had fought under Custer. A bullet struck bim in the leg one day a8 we fought our way up the grand Shenandoah Valley, aud gallant General Custer gave him bis arm to lean upon, looked into his eyes with all @ mother’s tende! ind sympathy, and said:— “Let me heip you to the rear; you are a brave man!”” Do you wonder that the bronzed-faced harvester turned pale at the news that his old general had been butchered? He wus only one of the 2,000 members of the old Michigan cavalry brigade whose hearts ached over the despatches and whose dim eyes, as they read the published lines, were a bigher tribute and a nobier testimonial than any other commander over had. MS EDUCATION. General Custer was not a highly educated man, as the term goes, but was well up in everything. and had a strong fund of common sense to back his education, He admitted in his magazine articles that he shirked West Point tactics in regard to mental instruction as much he could, but dozens of cadets come away from that institution with far less knowledge. Caster was apt, ready and far-righted, and he had a retentive memory. These faculties aided nim to grasp by intui- tion those things which others had to grope after and study out liie— “aup WHO Is cUaTER?” General Custer’s war record opened with the war. His acquaintance with Micbigan soldiers began several months after the Grst volunteers bad fought on the battle line and had come to realize what war was. The First, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh regiments of cavalry were raised at the sametime, brigaded together, and on reaching Washingtem were ordered to report to General Custer. " “and who is General Caster?’”” was the query be- tween man and man ‘irom camp to camp. We had not heard of him, Ifhe had made a name it was not iu the papers. There was considerable dissatisfaction among the enlisted men, who felt and hoped that such a brigade of picked men ought to be commanded by some one to give it a good fighting record. We saw Custer—a thin-waisted, ‘“spindle-bodied” young man, with long yoliow hair falling down to his shoulders, a pleasunt mouth, and nothing to mark him from other men but an eye thas seemed to look through and through a man. “He’s no fighter |” “He can’t fight “He’s a regular dandy !’” Such expressions as above quoted were heard through the camps, but those who uttered them were soon made to retract their words. AS A DISCIPLINARIAN. , The brigade knew what drill was; but when Custer took command beput;*\* men through as farmers work to save grain from an approaching thunder storm. He seemed to like the officers and tho looks of the men, and while he worked to make us worthy of hs lead we felt that we must work to be worthy of such acommander. One month ander Custer made every horse a machine and every nan an automaton. 48 A LOOICLAY. One day a trooper, whose joints were stiff ana whose bones ached from riding an ovgly horse, fell out of bis set of fours on drill and declared that he would be shot before he would drill another half hour. He was on his way to the guard house when Custer rode up, ordered his release and requested his presence at headquarters, The sulky-temperod trooper followed the General, won- dering if he not to be placed over against the fenco and sbot. Custer had far different intentions, Bidding the trooper sit down, the General calmly inquired :— “Why do you refuse to drili?” “Because | am tired out and shaken up, and I know all about every dril!.”” “Wnen I took this brigade,” said the General, ‘I thought I knew just how to command it, I have learned something new every, day; I shall always be learning. If you refuse to drill all others will soon r fuse, Then discipline will relax, men and horses for- get, and in our first action we shall be ent to pieces tor want of intelligent manwuvring. I want you to bea man, and yet you must be a machine to obey.”” ‘The soldier was silent. “L ride five miles to your one,’’ continued the Gen- eral. ‘‘l sleep three or four bours; you sleep seven or eight Ihave 4,000 men tocare for; you have only your horse, Ihave athoasand complaints to hasten to; you have none. I have five times your work, fa no better and will be shot as soon ay you are, If I take all this burthen and trouble and hard work on my shoulders are you not willing to bear a trifle?” The trooper returned to his saddle. One day, a year afterward, he died before Custer’s eyes, died so bravely that the Ge@#ral said of bim:. “An army like that man could conquer world.” the + AS 4 LEADER. With no note book at nand to aid me in recalling ex- act dates, let me call up some incideuts which no his- torians have ever grasped, because historians write of corps, instead of brigades, “He is a hard worker, but how will he fight?"’ asked the officers of each othe Tho question was never asked after our first skirmish. Drawing his sabro and placing himself where he could Jead the line, and just where the danger was great the “boy general’’ made a speccb. It was the brieiest appeal on record, ‘lightening the reins and waving his keen blade aioft, he shouted :—- “COME ON !?? Custer’s fate was decided. After that fight each and every man considered it wortn $1 @ get a square look | right; they haven’t'seen me for the last time!” ———— ee TSE meant to do, Sometimes, alter a sharp fight and a victory, he would ride along the line and quietly re- mark, “We rather flaxed ‘em, didn’t we, boys!” but it ‘was not boasting. Sometimes, when driven back alter doing our level best, he would say, ‘We'll whip that crowd :n less than a month, or I’m a Turk!’? but he meant it to oil over the chagrin which raged in the bosom of every trooper. walrixa, Jast as agrand battle ts about to begin each army waits fora moment as if to draw a long breath and brace its nerves for the struggle. That moment is like the moment before an awful storm breaks. Every man knows what is coming, every horse is watching and trembling, and the bravest man in the ranks will ture pale and mark himself for # victiut, It isa ter- rible moment Every soul feels awed; ever heart beats Painfully, and it would seem as if the fall of a musket would stampede a whole brigade, When the sharp crack of a single musket or the hoarse bellow of a can- non echoes from the hill the spell is broken, and men are eager to dash at each others’ throats. 1 have watched Custer while we waited. Sitting like a figure of bronze, only bis eyes moved. They glanced here and there, noting everything in detail, and before the signal came he knew where the fight would be hot- test. He was to lead us, and he might have trembied without losing our respect or any of the reputation he had won, NOT A HonBY. It has been asserted by several influential dailies since Coster’s death that a spirited cavalry charge was a pet hobby or theory of his, General Custer had but one theory in war—whip the enemy if youcan, He often could and did, but it was not always by a cavalry dash. ‘Two thousand men encamped ina field can be routed by acharge of 100 troopers, A whole brigade of infantry in line of battle have been known to fly be- fore a charge of six companies of cavalry. Even when it is cavalry against cavalry, a flerce charge, a long yell and the good use of sabres loaves the victory on the side of dash, PRETTY NRAR 4 HOBBY. General Custer not only loved music for its soothing influence, but be loved it because it cheered the men and nervedthem up tor a bold dash or bot encounter. His band Wes probably more exposed than any other in the servie The proofs of this assertion are the scars which gor. of the members are carrying to their graves, “% -@ the war closed every member of the band was, “ling to make oath that Custer’s hobby was band muels: LAYING FOR 4 CHARGE. 1 tbe cavalry fouad the bluffs on tho the river alive with sharps) :oters. Custer must ¢ , anéwhen he saw that the eharp- shooters must) st be routed he turned to the band, Tt was ordered to the front, stationed where bullets whizzed past their cars, and the General remarked :— “When you see me draw my sabre do you strike up "Yankee Doodle’ and play for all she’s worth !"’ He pat himself at the head of the brigade, drow sabre and, as the band struck up, the troopers charged the ford, crossed it and routed the sharpshootors in no time at all. At Burns’ opposite sid “out ov TimE.”” At Bristow station tho gunners of # field battery re ceived such a vigorous reply from another in she hands of the enemy that the men wavered a little. “Where’s my band?’ shouted Custer, and when the leader had reported he was ordered to take position be- side tho battery and give the gunners something lively. The band went down, every man wishing he was his horn or back in Michigan. The guns kept roaring, and while there is no doubt that the band played a tune no man eould ever be found who heard a note. By and by ashell came screaming over their heads, and, while all “squatted,” the bass drummer went one better and stayod down, The very next mis- stile went plump through bia abandoned drum, taking out both heads. 4 “That beat was out of time,’’ laughed Custer, and he permitted the band to retire. “PLL DIR TRYING.”? Trevelyan Station was probably the flercest cavalry bt of the war. Men on both sides charged and cut and hacked as never before or after. It was man to man and horse to horse, and a charging squadron bad no sooner reformed than they were compelled to mect a charge, The Confederates bad infantry to back them; they were superior in numbers, and while the day was drawing to a close Custer tound his command surrounded. The Confederates counted on bagging the entire force, and they had good roasons for sv be- lieving. There was only one way out; that road was to be cut with sabres. In council with his brothor officers Custer pointed to @ battery which had just opened fire and said :— “There is our road, right over that battery |” Ordering up the band he asked for ‘**Yankee Doodle,’ the best you know how,” and history tells how the troopers followed their leader out of the trap, It was years ago, but if one were to look over the list of men reported with ‘‘sabre cuts on the head’? his blood would tingle as he realized how hot it was, RETALIATION, It was strict justice, judged by the old Persian law, but no goidier of the brigade can recall the aifuir at Front Royal without a feeling of regret that it should have happened. Quite a large number of Michiganders were detailed to guard property belonging 10 Cone federates, and, while in the exercise ot this auty, about ascore of them were killed by Mosby’s troopers. It 18 claimed on the ono side that these men were caught foraging, and on the other side thut they were snot down on their posts of duty, or shatched off and huag by the inhuman portion of the irregular cavalry, any rate they were killed, and thei taking off aroused the indignation of bot men and officers, Ay Shep- pardsiown we captured twelve or thirteen Confederates, who were identified us belouging to Mosby's com- mand, and there was a fierce cry or retaiiaiion. The | prisoners were turned over to the men, tive or six of them were at once swung up, and the rest, after being turned iree in a tleld, were shot down as they ran for their lives. It was “an eye jor an eye and a tooth for a tooth ;” bat retaliation is a ter ribie thing. JAUNTY AND JOLLY, There were few ollicors in the army whe nad such a bright side fur everything. A reverse stuug him jor a moment, and then, to ue his own words, “That's ull His hearty laugh, floating back to weary meu, scemed to revive them, and there was new reason for loving him. | While he was a strict dixcjpiinarian Le was neither @ marlinet nor dia Le regard it necessary to shut bis jaws together, scowl flercely und seck to inuke his meu tremble with uwe in his presence. Some gener. is pursued that policy, and some troops were whipped every time they formed a vattle line, General Custer could hold his dignity and distance and yet speak personally with rauk and tile MIS ‘-COMMISSARY,"? When men bave pounded the saddle for days ata time without any ‘‘lot-ap,”’ when horses are worn down, riders clear tagged out and no prospect of u rest, then uw good mau may do « desperate thing ia bis despatr. Such an instance came under the writer’s observa. tion one day in the Sheuandouh Valley, Custer was killing men and horses in his desire to locate eucn and every one of Early’s outposts, when, as we rode along a | turnpike, a hungry trooper saddenly spurred his horse to the front, rode up beside Custer, and drawing a slice of pork trom bis Laversack, thrust it out and flercety asked, ral Caster, where in damoation is your com- ro she is!”” shouted the General in reply, fishing ard tack" trom bis pocket—“Here slic 1a, | up 4 rusty atthe General, Ah! it makes an old soidier’s heart | pain and ache to remember the long campuigns and the hundred battles through which he foliowed the yel low ringlets! When Custer was not in front there was no front He asked no troop to charge where he dared pot lead. A’ “'UNOLE GRonGE.”” Of the thousands of officers commanding the tens of thousands of volunteers, half » dozen, certainly not & score, are remembered with anything like gratitude by the men who served under them, Selfish, unprinci- pled and tyrannical, they seemed to regard enlisted men as convicts and treated taem accordingly. God gave General Custer a noble heart. He knew that sick men could not fight, and ne walked through his camps tu see that sanitary regulations were enforced. He knew that fathers, husbands and sons must yiela to the iniluence of homesickness when in camp and at rest, and he helped them drive the fecling away. Sumo generals cared not how a soldier fared if they fared well themselves, Not so with Custer; soldiers cannot fight well on empty stomachs, and bis care was to see that the brigade commissary bad rations, And 80 it came to pass by-and-by that he won the respect and good will of every soul in the brigade and hundreds of men spoke of him as “Uncle George.” NOT 4 BOASTRR, . I do not believe that avy living man ever heard Gen- eral Custer buast of what be bad done or what be | log stable to be: 0, | nicely seated the Confederates opened on ne of | | and 171i trade you som your pork! That trooper is still living, and when be heard of Custer’s death he wept iike a child. “118 WORTH A PAiM. ‘Tne old brigade was at Gettysburg, and of those left behind in hospitai nino out of every ten were reported, “sabre cut on the head,’”’ Reduced down to half regi- ments ‘and lower, they followed Custer against three times their strength, and no sabre could be found un- stained with ulood. ’ When it was known that a charge would be made a lot of horse tarriers and company | armorers mounted to the ridge of w long thatched root spectators. Just us they had yot ot my hard tack for cavalry trom a new point. The tirst missile shot. Itsiruck the oid stable under the © near the centre, and there were 6,000 men watching it, splinters, straw and men iilied the wir, and ine way euch man made lor mother eurth nearly kilied the eav- alrymen with lavguter, Geueral Custer laugned til he pearly Jost his seating, and whea he couid speak he gasped ont, “Well, that is worth a farm and ail live stock thrown in!’? PULL OY INCIDENTS, General Custer's military wag a wild romance, developing some imerestiug incident every day, and what coud be iruthtully written of bis moxt daring expioits in the saddle would fill a hundred HeraLo coluwas, Why write furtner now? Lost to the pres: ent ior @ thoment, as the rush of the Kapiaan seewed to fill bis curs aguin, the trooper’s heart gives 4 pain- ful throv as he suddeniy remembers that General Cus ter is no more. It would have been glorious for him to have died at the head of his old Ehird division, his subre gleaming and his long Hair floating out behind— it Was so wrrivie tor hin to die With the desperation of despair ia his soul Men have dared to whisper that it Wasa blunder, Let no man whisper it again, The general who made no blunder turvugh jour years of wimost daily lighting Would not be apt to blunder in a skirmish, It be is to sleepin a grave among the sterile hills, may some soit Voiced bird carry a lower to blossom above lis novie breast, and it wiil console our grieving hearts tc know that the bitter winter blasts sweep ai other way. If bis clay returns to the spot bis feet so often trod and his heart so well loved, may ali men bow their heads as the breeze from is lakeside home Walls abroad the notes of tuaoral dirge. At THE CUSTER MONUMENT. Sympathizing and Patriotic Subseribers to the Memorial Fund. SUBSTANTIAL SENTIMENT. | Praise and Admiration Backed with Money | to Honor the Dashing Soldier. WIDOWS’ MITES. Congress Grants Pensions to Custer’s Wife, Father and Mother. neta The memory of the brave man who fell in the battlo on the Little Big Horn will be fittingly honored by the people. From ull classes arise tho single desire, and she inequalities in the amounts subscribed count noth- ing when such 1s the case, We print beiow a num- ber of lotters accompanying the subscriptions In each of them will be seen atribute of admiration of the valorous men who knew how to die in the path of duty. A CHECK ¥OR ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS. New York, July 15, 1876. To THe Epiror o Tux Herat Herew.th we hand our check on Fourth National Bank, this city, for $100, which please accept as our offering to the Custer Memorial Fund, J. & C, JOHNSTON, CUSTER’S COMRADES IN ARMS, Bruarrorr, Conn., July 14, 1876. To rux Epiror or tuk Hexant ‘AS an organization of honorably discharged soldiers and suilora, formed for the purpose of perpetuating the memory and history of the dead who fell in defence of the bouor of our country’s flag, we thauk you for i augurating the idea of erecting a movument to the Memory v: tie lamented General G, A. Custer and the more than 250 brave officers aud men that tell with him in that terrible indian massacre oi June 26. Many of our organization knew General Custer, baving followed him ou the sweltering march and in the smoke of battle. Enclosed please lind check tor $10 toward erecting a sting trib ute to the valor of the American — soldier, But in our haste to honor the dead, let us not forget to extend needful aid to the widows aod orphans of those who have fallen, Wo bave established u vranch office for receiving the amounts that may be given toward the monument fund, and shall forward you irom time to time, Let every soldier in the United States give his mite, and do it at once, and we will erect a monu- ment that we shall feel proua ot, ELIAS HOWE, Jr., Post No. 3G. A. R, 4 TOKEN OF ADMIRATION. ‘ Naw York, July 14, 1876, To Tk Epiron or tax HeRaLp:— T enclose $10 us my subscription to the Custer monu- ment and as a token of my admiration.of the raro soldierly qualities of the late brilitant cavalry oflicer. . ROBERT STOBO, FIVE DOLLARS FROM A PEABODY. Burra, N, Y., July 15, 1876 To tax Epitor or tux Herauy:— Lsond you $5 as my wite to General Custer’s monu- meat, the “iuad’’ so worthily started by you. GEORGE H. PEABODY, of New York City, A WIDOW’S MITE. To tax Eviron or the HeRatp:— For the Custer memorial aud his brave companions, not forgetting the Hxxaup correspondevt who feil, $2 WIDOW’S MITE, A TOKEN OF RESPECT. 2 New Yor, July 15, 1876 To tue Epiror or tax HeRaLp:— Please acvept the enclosed small token of respect for the gallant Custer, trom the apprentices of the Indus- trial school of the H. 0. A., $3. | FROM AN ADMIRER OF CUSTER'S BRAVERY. Wittamsavna, July 14, 1876. To rae Eprror or THe Herat Enclosed prease find $2, a smailcontribution toward General Custer’s monument tund. Hoptog ull aamir- ers of bis bravery will do likewise, I um, JOHN F, BROWN. FROM ONE OF CUSTER’S FOLLOWERS. Nawank, N. J., July 13, 1876, To rue Eprtor or THE HERALD Encleeed pieuse flud $2, my small contribution to the Custer mopuiment lund. "Following the sai of my oid comrade of the T'wenty-ftth New York cavalry, | send all 1 cau afford to assist in perpetuating the memory of our brave boy General, whom I pave joliowed m many a charge and glorified tor many a victory won, KOKLLHOFFER, New York cavalry. A. Chief Bugler Twenty-fitth 4 POEM, TWO DOLLARS AND A QUERY. New York, July 14, 1876, To tae Epiror ov tae Herat bans to brave young Custer, whose life we held so lear, | . He aid what he could with the odds in front, And a stake in the gruss in the rear, Grant is fixing things, isn’t bo? | closed. Two dollars | FROM A COSMOPOLITAN. New York, July 15, 1876. To tHe Evitox ov tae Hx: Since a lew months only country Tam an ad- murer ol the galiaut General Custer aud beg you + pt the modest suvscription of $1 toward the Mouumeut Fund trom M B. COSMOPULITAN, 4 PENNY SUBBCRIPTION SUGGESTED. New York, July 14, 1876. To tux Eviton or THE Hrrat. J take preasure in enc oemg $1 toward the monument to be erected to the memory of Custer, the bravest of the brave. Some years ago I remember reading of the buiiding of an elegant and expensive mouument to th memory of Prince Aloert, iu Kngiand, by penny sui scriptions, Would not each one here, nowwithstauding (hese hard times, giadiy give a dime to un onject so laudable? Very respectfully, MISOGAMIST. A GRECIAN BOY'S CONTRIBUTION, Naw York, July 14, 1876. To tax Eviron oy sux Herao:— Leoud uot bear, sir, secing other people contribute | money, each according to lis power, for x munument | proposed tor the new hero, Guneral Custer, whose hervic acts remind me of my giving my $12 (all [ can spare) sir, @ poor boy, without a four tmontii ago I arrived here trom Gr can reua English, and though 1 am poor, yet [have the ieeling | and enthusiasm of my vid fathers. SOCRATES CAPPARDACHI lathers, without T an: a Grecian, | WHAT AN INDIAN FIGHTER THINKS, New York, July 14, 1876, Yo tk Eprror oF THR Henano:— The most concive letter of ail those yet written on Custer’s baitle is Lieutonat Cu ‘3. 1 say whut be does—there is bo one to blame; Custer did ali ne coain, | and se did the Indians, whom wo lave whipped a yreat many times ofteuer thin they did us Butus you know an old saying is, “Every dog will have its diy.’” Eu. closed please find $1, iu Yellowstone currency, for the ument of brave Cusier and my old comrades a. OL. F. WINGATE, ot Company 1, Third Uniied States Cavairy. | “AN OLD SOLDIER'S MITE, Camp Kyox, Exminirioy Gre Putapecenia, Pa, July, 1 To tHe Eprron ov ritk Hkkato:— Please tind enclosed tifty cents, an old soldier's mite to the monumental inod oi our brave and lamented Custer, woo survived the reveliion and fell at the nead of his brave command by the bunds of the “hostile Sioux.” JOHN HB. WILLIS, one Sergeant Battery M, Third United Staves Ar- tillery. ad IN HONOR OF THE FALLEN BRAVE. New York, July 15, 1876, To vue Epitor ov THe HenaLv:— {herewith enclose fiity vents; this mite to be added to the Custer mopoment fund, which is to remind tu i of our fallen heroes, THBEE SUBSCRIPTIONS OF THREE LITTLE ONES, New Yor, July 15, 1876, BALD — ‘# subscription to a fellow soldier of papa—thirty cons tor Custer’s monument, MINNIE, CHAKLES AND EDDY. QUARTER OF A DOLLAR FROM E, D. B. New York, Jaly 13, 1876, To tun Epiron or Tar Henao: Enclosed Gud twenty-tive cents toward Caster’s monument BvD B A FREE WILL OFFERING, New You, July 11, 1876. To tux Epiror ov Tue Herary:— My subscription fur the Custer monament ts unfor- tunately rostricted by my means, not by the feelings 1 which prompt it. Please, therefore, add th mite {rom a brother soldier, although of the tate ANOTHER TWENTY-FIVE CENT SUBSCRIPTION. Brookys, July 15, 1876, To tux EviTor ov TH HeRaLy:— I have always jiooked on your paper natioval advocate, aud admire your object im raising a monument tor brave aud mis followers, = As-—_circumstances present do not permit me bUt this much (tsenty-five cents) from all who appre- ciate your noble object, would help to remind those who come after us that we have pot been unmindful of the dead patriots. And as it sometimes happens that the innocent suffer in the piace of the guilty, itis most likely, at the present, thet God 1s sbowing ‘of how our government pleases Hit. Iso be a patriotic thoucht to do as as the patriotic Custer ai directed in the book of M scribed in tweltth chapter and verses Jorty to for! We, as Curis- tans, should haye as much h in prayers for ibe deud'as the Jews bad, or have, if they did not lose it Let us have a contribution now and avoually for the eternal repose of these brave heroes, that our prayers for them may ascend to heaven's throne, and by our pious prayers for the eternul repose of their souls have toeir vames inscribed im the Kook of Life, The prayers of tbo just availeth much, us recorded in Hoty Writ, Let us have them remembered to the pas- tors of our congregations to pray for them who jell tn defence of our nation’s honor. It 1s aiso an honor to God tor us tobe mindful of one another, as He bas taught us to pray ior one another and observe things whatsoever He bas commanded us, ihat pros; ity way Aline more retulzent On ovr. shores, that wars may cease and peace and unity may dwell among wil Chrisuan people. If this proposition is acceptable L am willing to uouble my mite in prayers and ofterings for tho repose of their souls, if we be their friends, as described in Job, chapter xv., verse 14, aud numerous other passages, which, for brevity sake, Lomit, ax 1 truly valuabie space. acoustant reader. P. 5.—Success attends the just, and may you ever mayutain your park By inserting this you will oblige LG HE GIVES HIS MONEY AND OFFERS HIS LIFE. Houoxen, July 14, 1876, To tue Eviror oy tee Herary:— Please accept twenty-lye venis, which I enclose, for the propoved tnonument to the gallant General Cusier. It isa very small amount, but ali that 1 can afford to more than that, more than riches, | offer my assistance 300 and the noble HekaLp reporter, Kellogg. | offer ay fife, and at any time the word is given I shall be at hand to strike a blow for Custer, and wipe away this savage race which 8 such a burden on the coun- try. Let us not be backward in spending $500,000 or $600,000 and suve millions, Send 50,000 soidiers out with General Sheridan to the front, and let its motto be “Peace, Liberty and for Custer,” And when this ts atl done and the redskms are wiped away and the West at rest, then let us put op the proposed monument aud let the guilant Custer rest forever. A. H.R, A Track Driver. FROM VASSAR COLLEGE, Vasaan CoLiecs, Poveukrrrsix, To THe Epitor ov tuk Hekatp:— I send a quarter as iny memory of the man who never asked quarter. H.W. R LITTLE HARRY'S GIFT. To tue Epitor oy tae HkraLp:— Enclosed please find twenty-tive cents, balance ttle Harry's” ‘Fourth of July’? funds, whieh be 0 contribute toward the ‘Custer Monument Fund. is LITTLE HARRY, X (five yearsold), Albany, N. Y. mark, MARIE THOMPSON'S PRACTICAL SORROW. To tas Eoitor or tax Herato:— Enclosed you will tnd twenty-live cents for the benefit of our noble General Custer’s movument; ne who has died for his country, Just think ofsume of our men whom wo suppose to be noble aud who are not, and the noble men are dead, {tis a pity thatour prom- inent men must grow old and die. 1 wish I could save them, but it 1@ not im my power. I ieel very sorry tor the General’s widow. MARKIE THOMPSON, Philadelphia, A COLORED WAITER’S CONTRIBUTION. * Saxatoaa, July 13, 1876, To tax Epitor ov tHe Herao:— Isond twenty-tive cents to go to the Custer monu- ment. Brave Custer. COLORED WAITER, at United States Hotel. ‘“THAT BRAVE, GALLANT GENERAL.” New Brenawick, Juiy 14, 1876, To tax Epitor or THE Hexatp Please enclosed find tweuty-tive cents for the erec- tion vf a monument in remembrance of that brave, gallant General Custer. Ww. W. We AN OLD CAVALRY SOLDIER'S DONATION. Comraxy F, Cextenxiat Potice, Puiapenputa, July 14, 1876, } To rar Epitor or THe Heranp:— 1 herewith enciose twenty-five centa as my contriba- tion for the erection of a monument in memory of my old commander, the lamented Custer, and so give to our latest posterity occasion to recite his memory. By the way, beg leave to ask how is itabout tho survivicg of the 260 brave men who sh red the fate of their commander? Let us honor their memory also and recognize their services, Ri @ subscription for the benetit of the surviving wives and children of the Yellowstone victims. Many will respond to your call. It takes but the Naw York tigRaLp to make an ua- | dertaking a success, FRANK MILLER, Late of Company G, Seventh United States Cavalry. IMITATING JOEL SLOPER’S EXAMPLE.. New Youx, July 15, 1876. To tHe Eprrox ov Tux Heratp:— Please tind enciosed thirty-tive cents toward the Cus- ter Monument fund, [am'so admirably struck with Joel Sloper’s idea of digging a hole for Grant that 1 also add ten cents tur that purpose. POLLY HOPKINS. TWENTY CENTS FROM TWO CONNECTICUT GIRLS, Yo THE EpIToR oF THE H&RALD:— Please accept towird the Custer Monument fund twenty cents from two Connecticut girls, who would gladly give more if possible. LILY*PAULINE and EVA ROSE, Connecticut, ede FROM A HALF STARVED BOOKKEZPER, New York, July 15, 1876, | To rox Epitor or tre HERALD:: Enclosed please find ten cents for General Custer’s Monument fund, e hard. A HALF STARVED BOOKKEEPER. THE BRAVE GENERAL CUSTER To THe Eorror or THR HRRaLp:— Enclosed you will flad ten cents toward the erection of 4 monument on the grave of the Lrave General Ci ter, The amount is stall, and ail [ can afford vo giv: GEORGE H. COOK. P. 8.—I will try my best to get up an association by which I can raive a few dollars. COOK. FOR 4 MONUMENT IN MEYORY. Poivapenputa, July 14, 1876, To the Eptror ov tHe Heratp:— Enclosed please find ten cents for the monument in memory of that gallant officer, General Custer, who was killed out West while in the brave performance of his duty. HARRY THOMPSON'S MITF. New York, July 15, 1876. To Tuk Epitor oF THR Herat. :— aving more feeling than [ have cash I give my litte mite (ten cents) to the Cusier fund. Soon I wiil try wud act more like a man ani give in accordance, HARRY THOMPSON, AVE SOLDIER GENERAL, New York, July 16, 1876, To tHe Evitox ov tur HekaLo:— Euclosed pease find ten cents, which 1 give to help to get a monument for our brave soldier, General Custer, who fought for our country. I would’ ve will- ing togo und fight but L am too small, only fifteen THE ears old; the government would not let me yo My heart was bleeding when [heard that they mmctlated the men in such a way as they did, I only wish I was aman, I would go and fight wil I could not stand, and do ailin my power thats could for our coantry—ali I have, | am poor, 8. ALL HE COULD SPARE. New York, July 14, 1876, To THe Eortor ov tax Heratp:— I wish toudd my mite (ten cents) to the offerings alreany subscribed to the immortal Custer. Wishiug I bad more to g.ve I remain, yours, EPHRAIM MUGGINS, A POOR GIRLS EFFORT, New Torx, July 15, 1876, To tue Eorton ov tHe Henatp:— At solicitation of a poor giri, who goes by name of ‘Thekia, I beg to enclose ten cents (all she has to spare Al present) loward erecting a monument for our noble patriot, General Custer. WILLIAM RELSOM. TEN CENTS FROM JOHNNY, ROBBY AXD ED, Benarx, N, J., July 14, 1876, To tus Epitor of tan Herauo:— Pieaxe flag enclosed from three little boys ten cents each for Generul Custer’s momument, the contents of our savings bunk, JOHNNY, ROBBY AND AN ERRAND BOYS CONTRIBUTION. Troy, N, ¥., July 14, 1876, To THR Eprtor ov THE Hekate :— Enclosed please flud tea cents for General Custer’s monument, Would willingly contribute more for this novie purpose, byt cannot rd it. Hope all the boys and girls throughous the United States will follow my exampie and contribute their mite. Hoping you will be successful, I remam, LENNY M. HERMAN, “Errand Boy,” troy Kid Glove Depot, A SCHCOLEOY'S GIFT. New York, Jaly 15, 1876, To tae Epitor or tar Heratp:— By adding the to subseribe much, | have already iirused ‘more than | expected on your | give as Jar as junds are concerned with me; but | offer , to avenge the deat of General Custer und vhe gallant | Excuse the small amount, but tunes | | | Department or the comman | gagement. 3 > a closed | erection of the brave General Custer’s monument you will ovlige ISAAC FRANK, Sarunpay, July 15, 1876. To Tax Epiron ov tHe HexaLp:— Enelosed ten cents for Custer Monument (und, It all { have. FREDDIE NOBLE. A BOY AGAIN. New York, July 14, 1870, To rH Eortor or Tite HeRas.0:— Enclosed please fod ten cents, a boy's contribuom toward the Custer monument fund. LB He A POOR BOYS OFFERING, York, July 12, 1876. To Tux Evitor or rix Hera Enclosed tind the small sum of ten ceuts toward the Custer Monument. A POOR GERMAN WORKING BOY. 4 GERMAN MODEST TRIBUTE. New York, July To THE Eptror or tHe HeKa.v: Herewith piease receiv ten cents from a poor office boy {or the erection of a monument to the brave her General Custer, I would willingly give more if | ha It. fy 5, 1876, PETER BACH. ° A SUBSCRIPTION AND A PROMISE, Hono! , July 14, 1876, To rue Eprror or THe Hera: Evclosed please find ten cents for the Custer Monn. ment iund. As 1 have just started in business, and same is very duti at present, I cannot give nore uow, but will betore the subscription list is closed. [ thank you, und everybody ought to for thg interest you take 1 the maiter, and wish you much sdccesa, CHARLES BRUNO RUDOLPHY. FROM A PATRIOTIC NEWSBOY, Juy 15, 1878. To tHe Eptror or tun HeraLp:— Tenclose five cents, all I cun spare, for the Custer monumont, asf only get avery small salary and Lelp to support my mother. THEODORE BURNTON, a Patriotic Newsboy, A SACRIFICE, BUT NOT LIKE CUSTER'S. To tHe Eprror o¥ THe HeraLp:— In my present circumstances, financially, I regret to say I ain not able to coutribute more then tive cents te uffe Custor monument, the price of a Sunday Heratp, which 18 a sacrifice for me to do withoat even for one day. 2. K. YOUNG, ANOTHER FIVE CENT SUBSCRIPTION, Jovy 14, 1876, To tHe Evitor oy tue Heratp:— Enclosed please find five cents toward the Custer monumect. LG B RECAPITULATION. J. & C. Johnston..$100 00 L. GT. , GAR, Frank Mille 10 00) Polly Hopkins. 3S Robert Stobo. 10 00 Three Connect George H. Peabody 5 v0 a Awidow’s mite..., 2 00 Apprentices Indus- 10 trial School, - 300 ve . le Jonn F. Brown..,, 200 Ra. B.. 10 A. Koollhoffer + 200 Harry Thompson lo M. B, Cosmopolitan 1 00 Ephraim Muggin 10 Misogonist . » 100 W. Relsom........ lo Sociates Captarda. Job~ny, Robby and chi. 1 00 E 10 0. F. Wingal 100 10 J. H. Willis . 50 lo a. W. W. 50 10 Three children. 30, wo EK. D. B “ io C3. A 5 lw AHR 25 10 H. W.R 25 ADO sesdeesedaes 10 Little Harr, 26 Platonian, sees 6 25 Theodore Burnton. 4 BS Total.... A resesees. Previously acknowledged Grand total .......... CONGRESS ON THE CUSTER PENSIONS, BILLS GRANTING PENSIONS TO CUSTER'’S WIFE, MOTHER AND FATHER PASSED BY THE HOUSR UNANIMOUSLY. Wasutnoton, July 15, 1876. In the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr. Wille fams, (dem.) of Mich., introduced a bill granting a pen- sion of $50 per mouth to Mrs, Elizabeth Custer, widow of the late General Cusier. Mr, Terry, (dem.) of Va, eulogized the career of Gens eral Custer, in the late war, and hoped that his side of the House would be unanimous in paying this teib> ute to a brave mun. The bill was then passed without a division, THE FATHER AND MOTHER OF GENERAL CUSTER, Mr. Williams, of Michigan, also asked leave to intro- duce a bill granting a pension of $80 per month to Emanoel and Maria Custer, father and mother of the late General Custer. Mr. Rusk, (rep.) of Wis., thought that the bill came betore the House ina very irregular manuer and that the bill shouid goto the Committee on Invalid Pens sions, Mr. Cox, (dem.) of N. Y., thought that the whole matter partook ot a sad ularity. Genera! Custer’s death was irregular in many sad ways, vut whatever might be thought o! the origin of the la.iaa war, im whien he fell, whatever might be thought of the War over bim, he asked the House not to hesitate winoment ip giving relief to the suricken famtly of a brave oificer, He was giud to see the gentlemaa from Virginia (Mr. Terry), who iougbt in the civil war against General Custer, urging the House to pay a just tribute toabrave soluer. He hoped the geniieman from Wisconsin (Mr, Rusk) would muke Ho objection to the bill, Mr. Rusk replied tnat he had no objection to the first bill, but he thought the present bill should go to tng Committee on Invalid Penstons. The Speaker then asked if there was any objection to the introduction of the bill, when Mr. Rusk, of Wis cousin, and Mr, Ainsworth, (dem.) ot Towa, objected, and said tte bill was bot before the House. Mr, Cannon, (rep.) of LiL, suggested that the Com miitee on Invalid Pensions shuld at an early day report a bill granting pensions to the chiliren of tat men who (ell under the lead of General Custer, ‘Tho commitice retired, nod, afier a short interval, Mr. Rush, trom the Committee on Invalia Pensions, reported ‘a Will granting a pension of per mouth each to Emanuel H and Maria Custer, father and mother of the Custer brothers, who feil in the late on- Passed without a division. ‘A BILL YOR THE KELIKY OF THE SOLDIERS? PAMILIES. Mr. Conger, (rep.) of Mich., now moved that the Committee on Peosions be instructed to report a bil for the relief of the families of those who jell under General Custer, dir, Jenks, (dem.) of Pa., objected, and the subject was passed over, Subsequently Mr. MacDougall, of New York, en- deavored to obtain the floor, with a view of presenting a bil makong provision tor the heirs of the oflicers aud men who fell under the gallant General, but lailed to get the requisite unapimeus conseat, The following ig the text of it:— A bill granting relief to the heirs of the officerr and men who feil in the recent Indian fight ou the Lite Big Hora River, under the command of Brevet Major General George uster. He itenacted by the Senate and House of Representa- tives of the Unit sot Americ Congress assem: ary of the Interior be and is hereby in e name of exch officer, m y ielan, and privat Major Gen ral ( t battle upor the name of heirs upon t rank of said offiesr, non private at such © pension ax $50 por wonth bears t the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, subject to the Tiitations of the Pension tuws. CUSTER'S LIFE INSURANCE. Genoral Caster, with five of his officers, were insured in the New York Life Insurance Company of this city as follows:—General Custer, $5,000; Captain Yates, $5,000; Cuptain Keogh, $10,000; Lieutenant Calho $5,000; Lieutenant Crittenden, $10,000, and Lieutenan, Porter, $5,000, in all $40,000, AS these insurances were effected under a special proviion made by the company named for the benefit oft army officers, there will be no trouble prompt settlement of the claims, notwitnstand: wore killea iu battle wiih Indings. 1d oiticer, masician and THE MURRAY-BERDELL FIGHT. MURRAY'S CASE NOW THOUGHT TO BE FATAL—= BERDELL AGAIN REMANDED. Gosuzx, N. Y,, July 15, 1876, Wisner Murray, who was shot on Thursday night i= Goshen by Robert H, Berdeli, was examined by Dr, ‘Stinson, of New York, and attending physicians to. day. They extracted more of the builet trom his head, Three-fourths of the ball is supposed to be still io bram. The left side is paralyzing gradeally, physicians pronounce the woand very dangerous, Murray wiil probably die, Berdell was arraigned thig ernuon, but in tho absence of material the examination was adjourned aati! Wednesday morn ing Public sentiment, heretotore inst Berdell, now largely in his favor. Two witneases will | Murra; tol in band while rapaing away irom CANADIAN RAULROADS ‘ Tonoxto, Ont., July 16, 1876, A special cable despatch trom London to the Globe to-day says:—‘‘In reterence to the loan by the provinces of Quebec for the construction of the North Shore Rak the Times ios to Treasurer Chureh’ ons : te aie, arias Washer the 4] teed the loan of not makes no di in the There is no disposition bere at furibor reuway balding fen cents to the sum for the | for