On the day his two Michigan regiments marched into Pennsylvania, Custer also joined them extravigantly adorned in a velveteen uniform specifically tailored for the day he was promoted. Gold lace extended from his wrist to his elbow, a wide collared blue shirt with silver stars sewn on and a red necktie was tied about his throat. His was a sight to behold. He wanted to be distinguished from his men during combat and what ever doubts the men would have of their commanding officer as he rode up that day, were put to rest the very next day on the John Rummel farm just east of Gettysburg. In an engagement with Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart’s Confederate Calvary, Custer led the 7th Michigan and then the 1st Michigan in mounted counterattacks, shouting all the while, “Come on, you Wolverines!” The charges made by Custer’s men held the field for the Yankees that day.
During the Southern retreat from Gettysburg, clashes occurred almost daily between the two mounted opponents. Custer’s men were often at the forefront of the action. This action continued on into Falling Waters, MD., were Custer encountered the final contingent of the Confederate army as it prepared to cross the Potomac River. As he had done at Hunterstown, Custer deployed dismounted shirmishers. but Kilpatrick joined him and without knowledge of the enemy’s strength or disposition ordered a mounted assault. Two companies of the 6th Michigan ascended a ridge and plunged head on into the Rebel works, held by infantrymen. The Federals lost more than half their numbers and were routed. It had not been Custer who had acted rashly, but Kilpatrick.
After Gettysburg, a lietenant in the 6th Michigan claimed: “The command perfectly idolized Custer. The old Michigan Brigade adored it Brigadier, and all felt as if he weighed about a ton.” A private declared that Custer had put “the very devil” into the regiments. Custer had shown them he “was not afraid to fight like a private soldier…and that he was ever in front and would never ask them to go where he would not lead.” An officer told his mother in a letter, “It is an honor to belong to Mich. Calvary.” Custer continued to receive praise for his leadership in action through the summer and the fall of that year.
In February of 1864, “Custer secured a leave to return to Monroe Michigan to wed Elizabeth “Libbie” Bacon. They were married on February 9, 1864. It is believed that their marriage was one of much love and passion. After the wedding they enjoyed a honeymoon and another extended leave together before he rejoined the army for its spring operations.
As the Michiganders prepared for the up and coming campaign, their writings home revealed their devotion to Custer. They called him “Old Curley” due to his hair. Major James H. Kidd wrote of Custer in a letter to his father asserting that, “we swear by him,” and “his move is our battle cry. He can get twice the fight out of this brigade than any other man can possibly do.” This testimony reminds me of the respect shown to Stonewall Jackson by his infamous Stonewall Brigade. A member of the 5th Michigan Cavalry believed “that he is the best cavalry officer left in the Army of the Potomac.” Another officer in the brigade explained: “His men were always at the front, and were always on the best of terms with him. A private could talk to him as freely as an officer. If he had any complaint to make, Custer was always ready to listen.” During the Overland Campaign in May-June 1864 under Custer leadership, the Michiganders both fighting mounted and dismounted were considered to be the finest cavalry brigade in the Union Army.
I have come to realize why Custer is so hated by the Rebel Army reenactors I encounter in my travels, as I have learned that on May 11 at Yellow Tavern, not Custer himself, but one of Custer’s Wolverines mortally wounded Jeb Stuart. The beloved Rebel Cavalry leader was lost by the Rebel Army to one of Michigan’s own….led by Custer.
Then, on June 11 at Trevilian Station, the 5th Michigan surged ahead into a Rebel wagon train only to become trapped in a “living triangle”. For three hours, the Wolverines repulsed enemy attacks from three directions. “Custer was everywhere present,” recalled Kidd, “giving directions to his subordinate commanders.” Finally, their Union comrades in the other brigades punched through the Rebel lines and relieved the Michiganders. (This accomplishment proves to me that at Bighorn, when Custer and his men were surrounded by the Indians…it was not something they had not been through with Custer before. I believe, that because Custer believed, he had reforcements out there, his Michiganders would be relieved again, much like the Trevilian Station event. Understanding what happened during this event, has helped me to put the idea of Custer leading his men into a slaughter unwillingly and under direct orders, into its proper perspective.) During the Trevilian Stations event, Custer’s headquarters wagon was captured by the Rebel Army containing his persponal effects and letters from Libbie. A Richmond newspaper received the letters and published them, embarrassing the Custers and Libbie’s family here in Monroe. Her father was Judge Bacon. (This act by the Rebel Army shows how Custer threatend their very core. This is an act of pure hatred and not an act a gentleman would stoop to.)
At the campaigns end, the War Department promoted Custer to brevet lieutenant colonel in the Regular Army. Throughout August of that year , Custer again and again distinguished himself in four Union battlefield victories. So, on September 26, Custer assumed command of the 3rd Cavalry Division. Custer led his division in the cavalry engagement at Tom’s Brook and in the Battle of Cedar Creek. At 25, he was promoted to brevet major general, to date from Cedar Creek, October 19.
Custer and his commanding officer, along with the two cavalry divisions spent the winter of 1865 in the Shanandoah Valley before marching south in late February. On April 2, the Federals broke through General Robert E. Lee’s defensive works and the Union Cavalry led the pursuit of Lee’s retreating army. It was Custer’s men, on the evening of April 8 that interdicted the Confederate flight at Appomattox Station and cut off the Rebel Army’s retreat route. During that final week of the Civil War, Custer’s men captured more than 30 enemy flags. His Brother, Tom, seized a pair and recieved two Medals of Honor.
The end came at Appomattox on April 9. During a truce between the armies, before Grant and Lee met, Custer rode into the Confederate lines and demanded the surrender of the army from Lee’s senior officer, James Longstreet. It was a brave act and a bit extreme, but considering Custer’s past….sounds just like him. Longstreet evidently scolded the young Union general and sent him on his way. After the surrender ceremony, however, Sheridan confiscated the table Grant had used to sign the surrender of the Confederate Army, and had it delevered to Libbie Custer. The note that accompanied the table said in part, “permit me to say, Madam, that there is scarcely an individual in our service who has contributed more to bring about this desirable result than your gallant husband.”
I believe this information helps us to understand the contributions Custer made to the country he loved and the gallantry he was born to. The town of Monroe, Michigan should consider him their knight in shining armor as did Libbie. He lived his life boldly and embraced every moment of its passing passionately. There is nothing boring about Monroe’s Custer! He is a colorful part of Monroe’s contribution to the history of the United States.
The information contained in this 3 part article was taken in part from a writing done by Jeffrey D. Wert for the Civil War Times in the March/April 2006 issue.
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