Michael Donahue, author of DRAWING BATTLE LINES: The Map Testimony of Custer’s Last Fight will speak Saturday, October 4 at 7 pm at Monroe County Community College.

Read Custer Celebration Event article in the Detroit Free Press:

Monroe, MI – September 14, 2008 – Ernie LaPointe, a direct descendent of Chief Sitting Bull, is one of many distinguished guests participating in this year’s Custer Celebration Event.

The annual event pays tribute to Monroe, Michigan’s most famous resident General George Armstrong Custer, a Civil War hero and America’s most controversial historical icon and takes place from October 3rd to October 11th.

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.

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Please contact Sandy Alexander to set up interviews with the following special guests or to arrange photo opportunities prior to event or during event.

Steve Alexander as General George Armstrong Custer

Steve’s web site

Proclaimed by the United States Congress as the “foremost Custer living historian” Monroe resident Steve Alexander has been acknowledged by both the Michigan and Ohio Senates for his lifetime work and portrayal of America’s most controversial military leader, George Armstrong Custer. Steve has appeared as the General in over 20 television docudramas featured on the Discovery and History channels and A&E. Alexander was bestowed with the Crow Indian name, Ika Dieux’ Daka, by Tribal Historian Joe Medicine Crow. The name means Son of the Morning Star, a name previously held by only one man, George Armstrong Custer. Steve and his wife Sandy reside in the restored Bacon/Custer home.

Ernie LaPointe – Chief Sitting Bull’s great-grandson

Earnest (Ernie) W. LaPointe is the great-grandson of legendary Chief Sitting Bull. He descends from a long line of chiefs on both his maternal and paternal sides. Ernie, a disabled Vietnam veteran, was born in 1948, on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. At age the tender age of 10, he suffered the loss of his mother, Angeline LaPointe (Spotted Horse) to cancer, and at 17, his father, Claude LaPointe, died from a heart attack. Ernie joined the United States Army at age 18 and was stationed in Korea, Turkey, and Germany, as well as throughout the United States. During 1970/71, he served one tour of duty in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1972.

In 1992, Ernie was given the opportunity to set the record straight on the Sitting Bull direct blood descendants by speaking at the induction of Sitting Bull into the Hall of Fame of American Indian Chiefs at Anadarko, Oklahoma. Since then he’s received numerous invitations to speak about his heritage from Crazy Horse Memorial and Little Big Horn Battlefield. The History Channel sought his assistance in 2004 and 2005 for two documentaries: Command Decisions and History Hogs. Ernie is a Sun Dancer who lives the traditional way of the Lakota and follows the rules of the sacred pipe.

Dakota Goodhouse – Chief of Interpretation, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

Dakota Goodhouse was born and raised on the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. He’s a descendant of Blue Thunder, a US Scout and tribal historian of the Hunkpapa Lakota and Yanktonai Dakota tribes. Dakota’s traditional Lakota name is Ozuyé Nu_pa, freely translated as Fights-Two-Wars or Warrior-Two-Times.

Dakota graduated with honors from the University of Mary with a Bachelor of Arts in theology and history. The Lieutenant General of the US Army Corps of Engineers presented Dakota with a Medal of Excellence by for his work with the Corps of Discovery II. He was given a Medal of Excellence, an on-the-spot award, by the Major General of the US Air and Marine National Guard.

Dakota’s printed work has been published in the First Nations Theology Journal, Vol. 2, No. 1 (an icon of the Holy Trinity painted by Dakota also appears on the front cover of this issue) and in Chapter 4 of The Year the Stars Fell: Lakota Winter Counts at the Smithsonian. He is a regular contributing writer to The Past Times, a quarterly historical paper published by the Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation, and moderates The Past Times audio series, which is available at fortlincoln.com.

Dakota has been by turns an archaeologist, an educator, a National Park ranger, and now works as the Chief of Interpretation at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, for the Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation.

Lee Chambers – Author, Fort Abraham Lincoln Dakota Territory

Historians will relish this comprehensive new presentation about one of America’s most important 19th century forts whose first commanding office was Civil War hero Major General George Armstrong Custer. Custer was in command of Fort Lincoln at the time of the Seventh Cavalry’s fateful expedition to the Little Big Horn. In 2006, Lee and his brother, Rick, participated in an archaeological excavation at Fort Lincoln and located four rifle pits. Lee became interested in Fort Lincoln because his father was one of the last cavalrymen to go to war and fight on horseback for the United States. Lee’s in the process of constructing a 9’ x 18’ diorama of Fort Lincoln that includes over 100 buildings and replicates the 19th century terrain.

A retired police officer with 30 years of service, Lee Chambers was inducted into the Who’s Who in American Law Enforcement.

Chris Kull – Archivist, Monroe County Historical Museum

Chris Kull is the archivist at the Monroe County Historical Museum, a position she has held for over 20 years. Chris received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Lake Superior State College and her Master of Arts in historic preservation from Colorado State University. Her interest in researching various women of Monroe County’s past, including Elizabeth Custer and Maggie Custer Calhoun, led to the development Noteworthy Women of Monroe County, a program that garnered a Minuteman Award from the Monroe County Michigan Week Committee.
A lifelong resident of Monroe, she is married to Paul Merman and has 2 children, Katie, 21, and Isaac, 17. Chris enjoys tennis, boating and traveling. She’s a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, the Sawyer Homestead, Monroe County Historical Society, Michigan Archival Association, Friends of the River Raisin Battlefield, River Raisin Bicentennial Committee, and ACC Network.

Mark McPherson as Mark Twain

“He has ably succeeded in bringing history to life,” said United States Congressman John Dingell of Mark McPherson. Mark has long been fascinated by the intricacies of “history, mystery, and myth,” if not an array of great personages who have shaped them—unwittingly or not. His interests have also included a number of archaeological pursuits. As director of the DAEDALOS Investigative Agency, he’s participated in real-life expeditions that include searching for the real “Camelot” in southwestern Britain—diving for the source of Lost Atlantis—even hunting for the legendary Loch Ness Monster.
Mark’s literary interests have included a host of documentary films, including the PBS specials An Egyptian Odyssey and The Great Shakespeare Dual as well as The Houdini File. From a historical angle, Mark recently published Looking For Lisette: In Quest Of An American Original, which tells a real-life historical detective story involving the discovery of the life and legacies of Elizabeth Denison Forth (1786-1866), who was perhaps the first slave to sue for her freedom before an American court following the American Revolution.

A great aficionado of literary history and detective fiction as well as the lore of the American West, Mark McPherson is currently completing Wyatt’s Last Case, which he is also preparing as a screenplay. He is presently anticipating the publication of two books, Grail Bringer and its sequel, The Diana Code as well as a children’s book, The Mage, The Wand, & The Watch-Tower.

Kirk Shapland as Buffalo Bill Cody

Kirk Shapland’s web site

Kirk Shapland as “Cody of the Plains” brings a Young Buffalo Bill Cody to life through his stirring living history presentations. The audience both young and old will feel as though they are in the presence of Buffalo Bill both through Kirk’s remarkable resemblance to Buffalo Bill and his commanding knowledge of Cody and his life.

Jahnis Abelite as Russian Grand Duke Alexis

Michael N. Donahue – Author, DRAWING BATTLE LINES: The Map Testimony of Custer’s Last Fight
Michael N. Donahue is chairman of the Temple College Art Department, Temple, Texas. He is also a historical interpreter and park ranger at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, where he has served for 18 summers.

Custer Facts:

Aside from President Abraham Lincoln, more books have been written about George Custer than any other Civil War figure.

Custer’s nickname was Autie. The name came about because he could not pronounce Armstrong as a child.

Even as a young boy, Custer was enamored with the military. He happily accompanied his father to local militia days where members practiced drills. Sometimes little Autie was even allowed to participate in the drills.

Prior to attending West Point Military Academy, Custer served a brief stint as a teacher.

Custer got the coveted appointment to West Point even though his family was widely known as staunch Democrats and the Ohio Congressman who made the appointment was a Republican. It’s believed a constituent recommended Custer in order to keep him away from his daughter.

Custer almost didn’t make it into the Civil War. While at West Point he was always on the verge of expulsion due to demerits, and he graduated last in his class. He was court-martialed upon graduation for not breaking up a fight.

Custer started the tradition of standing for the National Anthem while a student at West Point. When the Civil War broke out, he encouraged fellow students sympathetic to the Union to stand during the National Anthem as a show of unity.

Although his friend Thomas Rosser, a cadet at West Point, and Custer fought on opposite sides during the Civil War, they remained fast friends throughout their lives. Rosser spoke in Custer’s defense when critics attributed the deaths of Custer and his men to Custer’s recklessness and negligence at the Battle of Little Big Horn.

Appointed Brigadier General of the Michigan Brigade at age 23, Custer became the youngest general in the history of the United States Army

Custer’s bravery at Gettysburg elevated him to national hero status and forged a bond between him and his men. They knew they followed a commander who could win.

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 was the lucky officer to receive the enemy’s flag of surrender.

A prolific writer, Custer published numerous articles for magazines, several books and numerous outspoken letters to the editor

An avid outdoorsman, Custer was a skilled hunter and taxidermist. His preserved animal specimens and Native American artifacts collected out West were initially displayed at the Detroit Audubon Club.

In 1896, to commemorate the famous Battle at Little Big Horn, Anheuser-Busch started making lithographs of the painting by F. Otto Becker titled “Custer’s Last Fight”. Over 1,000,000 reproductions of this print were published and distributed by the company throughout the ensuing century (per Custer Battlefield Museum).

In life, as in death, Custer had his share of admirers and detractors.

Compelling Questions:

Custer was born in New Rumley, Ohio. Why does Monroe, Michigan lay claim as his hometown?

What is meant by “Custer luck?”

In what ways did Custer contribute to Union victory?

What really happened at the Battle of Little Big Horn? 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?

Did Custer really hate Indians?

What role did the American Army of the West play in US history?

What was America’s reaction when Custer and his men were killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn? What happened to the victorious Indians?

What role did writers, poets, and Custer’s wife Libbie play in elevating Custer to mythic or legendary proportion?

Why was Libbie able to perpetuate the image of her husband as a gallant military hero for so many years?

How and why has Custer’s reputation changed over the years?

Is it fair to portray Custer as the symbol of American aggression toward the Indians?

Is Custer’s story still relevant today? What could we learn from understanding him and the time period in which he lived?

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

Monroe, MI – September 10, 2008 – Heritage tourism can be a boon for communities lucky enough to identify with a person or event of historical significance. Monroe resident Steve Alexander, the “foremost Custer living historian” as proclaimed by the United States Congress, agrees and hopes to direct tourists to the controversial General’s hometown of Monroe, Michigan as he dons the persona of his alter ego and greets guests at the Michigan Travel Center in Monroe on September 13, 2008.

Alexander, who’s been acknowledged by both the Michigan and Ohio Senates for his lifetime work and portrayal of America’s most controversial military leader, will regale travel center guests with stories about Custer’s historic exploits, talk up his Monroe and southeast Michigan roots and promote the upcoming Custer Celebration Event taking place in Monroe from October 3 to October 11, 2008.

Read press release in its entirety here:

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Dakota has been assisting the Custer Celebration Committee and students from the community with an exhibit detailing the various roles of American Indians at the Battle of Little Big Horn. The exhibit will be gifted to the Monroe County Historical Museum on Friday, October 3.

He will share the brutal realities of war on the plains with the audience of The American Indians at the Little Big Horn on Sunday, October 5 at the Monroe County Historical Museum at 2:30 pm.

See our Events Schedule for details and updates.

Prints have been made of Chaffee’s original painting and are now on sale for $20 at: Martin’s Shoes, Frenchie’s, and The Book Nook.

Chaffee’s painting is on display in the store window of the former United Furniture building located near Loranger Square.

Can’t get to downtown Monroe? Don’t fret. You can order prints by mail for $30, which includes shipping and handling.

Click here, to access your online order form.

View print here.
 
Prints will also be for sale at Custer Celebration Events.

Monroe residents and visitors will have the opportunity to dine with “Buffalo Bill Cody” on Friday, October 10th between 4:30 and 6:30 pm at the Monroe Street Grill.

Buffalo Bill (portrayed by Kirk Shapland) will speak about the time he spent on the Plains with his friend General Custer.

Previously scheduled to be held at Hotel Sterling at 6:00 pm, the time and venue of this event have been changed due to construction in the reception area of the hotel. Please see our 2008 Events page for an up-to-date schedule.