Sep

16

2. Event Overview / Highlights:

Official Title:
“General George A. Custer’s Monroe” His Family & Friends

Program Dates:
Friday, October 3 – Saturday, October 11, 2008

Presented by the Monroe County Historical Society

Official event flyer

2008 Calendar of Events

Brief Custer Bio:

George Armstrong Custer is one of America’s most controversial historical figures. His historical footprint spans two major eras in American history: Civil War and Reconstruction and Westward Expansion.

Appointed Brigadier General at age 23, Custer became the youngest general in the history of the United States Army. Known equally for his flamboyance and bravery, the Boy General rallied his Michigan Cavalry Brigade with the famous battle cry: “C’mon you Wolverines!”

Custer served with distinction throughout the Civil War. His successes landed him on the covers of the nation’s major newspapers and magazines turning him into a 19th century celebrity and national hero.

During the Civil War, the dashing General, who had moved to Monroe, Michigan at age ten, met, courted and wed Elizabeth “Libbie”Clift Bacon, daughter of a prominent Monroe judge, in what was dubbed Michigan’s “wedding of the century.”

Following the Civil War, Custer joined the frontier army of the American West where he remained in the national spotlight by publishing captivating articles about his adventurous life in the West. In between military assignments, George and Libbie returned home to Monroe where Custer’s family had eventually settled as well.

Although Custer and his men were instrumental in forcing the retreat of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s forces, resulting in Lee’s subsequent surrender, Custer’s success during the Civil War is overshadowed by his final battle on the banks of the Little Big Horn River in Montana, in what ‘s popularly called Custer’s Last Stand.

His defeat at the Little Big Horn may have cost Custer his life, but it’s given him everlasting fame. Even today, 132 years later, the debate rages on. Was Custer the reckless glory-seeking leader who sacrificed his family members and men for his own end, or a victim of a series of bad circumstances and military betrayal?

The subject of numerous movies and books, Custer is the most written about figure from the Civil War aside from President Lincoln. Over 300,000 people visit the Little Big Horn National Park each year.

This year’s event focuses on Custer’s western years and includes appearances by living historians portraying Custer, Buffalo Bill Cody, Mark Twain and Russia’s Grand Duke Alexis.

Custer served as official escort to Grand Duke Alexis as he and his entourage of Russian dignitaries toured the country in 1871/72. A whirlwind tour designed to further strengthen the amicable relationship between the two countries, Americans made sure to fete this rare royal guest. Crowds greeted Alexis at railroad stations and bands struck up the Russian National Anthem. In addition to banquets, parades, and receptions, two exciting events included a grand buffalo hunt and lavish Mardi Gras ball.

Event Highlights:

Special appearance in Custer’s hometown by a direct descendant of legendary Lakota Chief and Spiritual Leader Sitting Bull

Presentations by noted authors and historians

Portrayals of George Armstrong Custer, Buffalo Bill Cody, Grand Duke Alexis, Mark Twain, and more, by acclaimed living historians

Unique and rare exhibits at Monroe County Historical Museum

Musical performance by the Monroe High School Choir Generations of Sound

The tradition of military bands lives on with a special performance by the 126th Army Band of the Michigan National Guard

19th century fireworks display

Saturday afternoon concert and contra dance instruction

Self-guided walking tours of historic Monroe and significant sites pertaining to the Bacon / Custer families

A lavish grand ball reminiscent of the 1872 Mardi Gras gala feting Russian Grand Duke Alexis


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