Mar

27

Posted by Karin 

Monroe County Historical Museum-Photographed by Darryl White

One of the highlights of the 2007 Custer Week Celebration was my visit to the Monroe County Historical Museum. As I explained in a previous post, interesting and rare historical artifacts pertaining to Custer were on display.

One such exhibit, the Battle of Trevilian Station, was a major coup for the museum to obtain, and you could say - a homecoming of sorts. Dave Ingall, MCHM assistant director explained the collection contained Custer’s personal effects captured on June 11, 1964 by Confederates at Trevilian Station, Virginia.

Belongings seized included the dress coat worn by Custer when he married Libbie as well as the 1860 silver Tiffany presentation sword given to him by the 5th Michigan Cavalry. Custer never saw his belongings again.

Shawna Mazur published an excellent, in-depth article entitled Custer’s First Stand: The Battle of Trevilian Station in the January/February 2008 issue of the River Raisin News & Dispatch, a bi-monthly newsletter published by the MCHM, Monroe County Historical Commission and Monroe County Historical Society.

According to the article, it’s believed James F. Blair, a Confederate Texas Cavalryman, is one of the captors of Custer’s wagon.

Blair purportedly took the items home to Texas as a souvenir where they remained for over 135 years - until discovered - stashed under a bed.

In 2000, Custer’s belongings were auctioned to the public and purchased by a group of Idaho antiques collectors.

“It took over a century, but the General’s items finally found their way home again,”writes Mazur.

Yet now on the second floor of the museum they are carefully laid out for all to view. It is truly fitting that they are home again and reunited with that red and white silk guidon, with its jagged corner, that resides permanently in the Custer display.

“What a rare opportunity for these pieces, that belong together, to be displayed right next to each other. Yet, it won’t last, so don’t wait, come visit the museum today and contemplate the past before these pieces once again vanish into history.”

Originally, the Battle at Trevilian Station collection was on loan to the MCHM through January 2008. The exhibit has been extended indefinitely. So hurry! There’s no telling if or when this exhibit may return. Or, as Mazur poetically puts it: “before these pieces once again vanish into history. “

Wouldn’t it be great if a major benefactor stepped forth to insure this wonderful collection could stay in Monroe permanently?

 

 

 

 

 

 


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