Aug

4

Posted by Karin

Q & A with Dave Ingall, Monroe County Historical Museum (MCHM) assistant director

Karin: Aside from historical significance, are General George Armstrong Custer’s ties to Monroe still relevant? Is there any important economic aspect Custer’s legacy can provide the community today?

Dave: At least half the people who visit the museum, especially those who come from outside Monroe, are looking for Custer oriented sites and exhibits.

Dave estimates 40,000 people visit the museum annually.

Dave: Where’s the house? is the first thing people ask.

MCHM, a former post office, occupies the site of Elizabeth Bacon’s childhood home where she and Custer lived periodically. The Bacon/Custer home was moved, and Steve Alexander, a Custer expert and living historian, along with his wife, Sandy, now reside in the home which they both restored.

Dave: We get people from all over the world. Four weeks ago, on two separate occasions, two gentlemen from London [England] visited the museum. Last year, people came from England, France, Germany, Japan, China, and Australia. Numerous Canadians visit the Custer exhibit.

People come here and find out there’s more to Monroe than just Custer. They find out about the 1812 Battlefield, Labor History Museum, Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, 1789 Trading Post, and historic Woodland Cemetery. They spend a day or weekend.

People always ask, “Where can I buy gas, eat, spend the night?” The museum is one of the biggest draws downtown. Custer generates a lot of dollars for this community.

Karin: Who are these people? Why their interest in Custer?

Dave: Tourists. History buffs. He’s a controversial character. People are interested in him. The American West is very popular with Europeans. Custer’s connection to the Civil War and the American West make him a big draw.

Karin: What’s unique about the MCHM Custer exhibit?

Dave: It’s the largest exhibit on Custer in the world.

Karin: Really!

Dave explained the Little Big Horn Battlefield museum has an excellent display. In fact, Libbie donated the items she cherished most to the battlefield museum. She donated several uniforms and the personal items Custer had left behind at Fort Lincoln. She also donated all 13 of his commissions that were signed by Presidents Lincoln and Johnson. While Libbie donated her collection to the battlefield museum, Custer family members and local residents donated their artifacts to the MCHM.

Karin: What are some of the items on exhibit?

Dave: Colored copies of the signed commissions will be on display at the MCHM this October as part of the Custer Celebration Event. I don’t think that’s ever been done before.


We also have his personal guidon or flag from when he commanded the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, his buffalo coat from the Kansas Plains, and his desk from Fort Abraham Lincoln.

One of the most unique collections on loan is the Trevilian Station exhibit. This exhibit consists of his brigadier general frock coat that was worn during his wedding here, his silver Tiffany saber given to him by the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, and other personal effects captured in the baggage wagon. (Read more about this exhibit here)

A really unique item is the Confederate short sword captured on the Chickahominy from the Louisiana Wheat Tigers (the most famous Zouave unit in the Confederacy) by Company A, 4th Michigan infantry and given to Custer.

All together, there are about 20 exhibits.

Karin: Custer is often maligned and considered an anti-hero to many. Why should people take the time to visit the museum and the city of Monroe to learn about him?

Dave: They should come here and get the facts about who Custer really is. The guy was just an individual, a [mere] lieutenant colonel. He wasn’t a large enough figure to set Indian policy.

Custer admired the Native Americans and wrote about it in his book “My Life on the Plains.” Many Native Americans, such as the Lakota who were warriors, admired him, too. They thought he was brave.

At the Custer Celebration Event [this October], you’re going to be able to see and hear many different viewpoints including the views of Native Americans. You may be shocked to hear what they say.

Ernie LaPointe, Chief Sitting Bull’s great-grandson is coming to Custer’s hometown. How many people actually get the opportunity to meet Sitting Bull’s great-grandson! Ernie is a really cool guy. He looks just like Sitting Bull. Ernie is very pro-Lakota, but he understands two cultures clashed and Custer was just a character.

Custer had an incredible record in the Civil War and was revered by the men he led. He never lost a color (battle flag)! He captured numerous Confederate flags.

Dave showed me an exhibit featuring a reproduction of the writing table Major General Sheridan presented to Libbie Custer at the conclusion of the Civil War. The original writing table is on display at the Smithsonian. The accompanying text reads:

“I respectfully present to you the small writing table on which the condition for the surrender of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia were written by Lt. General Grant – and permit me to say Madam that there is scarcely an individual in our service who had contributed more to bring about this desirable result than your very gallant husband. Very Respectfully, Phil Sheridan, Major General”

Dave: That’s from Phil Sheridan! Custer’s action directly resulted in Lee deciding to surrender the Army of Northern Virginia. He was one of the main characters of the Civil War that helped the Union win!

My sincere thanks goes to Dave Ingall for allowing me to interview him. The interview should have taken a half hour but lasted 2.5 hours. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Dave is a hometown Monroe boy who is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Custer, Civil War history and local history. I highly recommend scheduling a tour with him when you visit the museum.

Don’t forget to ask him about his take on The Battle of Little Big Horn. Was Custer really a blundering, glory seeking egomaniac or a victim of bad circumstances and betrayal? Can you guess which view Dave holds?

The Monroe County Historical Museum is located at 126 South Monroe Street. For hours, further information, or to schedule a tour with Dave, call 734 240-7782.


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2 Comments so far

  1. Shawn Prouty on August 6, 2008 1:34 pm

    Custer’s Headquarters Swallowtail was captured and then recaptured at Sayler’s Creek by Major John Allestron, 3rd New York Cavalry, April, 1865. War Department number 314.

    Custer’s HQ flag is currently at the Museum of the Confederacy located in Richmond, Virginia.

    Described as “Red and blue field divided horizontally, orange applique crossed swords.” (30×31 with losses).

    I work on all captured Union flags. The 7th Michigan Cavalry lost a guidon at Gettysburg.

    The problem was and has always been, that they rarely admitted to losing a color.

    Hopefully this will clear up the “myth” that Custer indeed lost flags.

    Feel free to contact me or the Museum of the Confederacy.

    Sincerely,

    Shawn Prouty

  2. Karin on August 6, 2008 3:13 pm

    Hi Shawn:

    Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. Please keep following along and adding your input.

    H’mmm. I’m certainly no expert on such things as battle flags, but now I’ll have to investigate further.

    Hope you can join us this October.

    Karin

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