CUSTER AND MONROE
His image has been tainted with dark hues, such as- executioner of Confederate prisoners at Front Royal Virginia;destroyer of homes and barns in the Shenandoah Valley;Indian killer and the fool who led himself and 262 men to their deaths at Little Bighorn. Historians, novelists and the movie world have engraved these images into our minds, over and over again.
However, through much research I am beggining to see the positive in the Custer Legacy, and it is this legacy we must concentrate on to change the negative image that has been created. Monroe has much to offer historically and Custer its Civil War hook.
During the Civil War he was given the nickname “Boy General”. He earned a major generalcy when he was only 25 years old, the youngest man to hold that rank in the annals of American military. By the end of the Civil War, Custer had become a household name in one way or another, and eventually seen as a Northern hero. This complex man measures far beyond Front Royal, Washita and Little Bighorn to Hunterstown, Gettysburg, Yellow Tavern, Haw’s Shop, Tom’s Brook and to Appomattox Station.
He was an assertive, bright, spoiled,wide awake type person that flew by the seat of his pants , so to speak. He was not afraid of conflict or battle, in fact, I believe he craved it. He wrote a letter to his cousin on October 3, 1862, “You ask me if I will not be glad when the last battle is fought,” he stated, “so far as the country is concerned I, of course, must wish for peace, and will be glad when the war is ended, but if I answer for myself alone, I must say that I shall regret to see the war end. I would be willing, yes glad, to see a battle every day during my life.” A man driven by dreams of martial glory. Even though he understood war’s fearful costs, he saw in it opportunities for personal fame.
Visit tomorrow for more on Custer and the town of Monroe!!!
Filed under: Civil War Blogs by Savannah Meade
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Through extended research, my beliefs, once much like your own, have been tweeked due to the recently compiled bullistic reports of the area, collection of letters, notes and reports written by his collegues and subordinates and some good old fashion common sense. From the surface your views are warranted….but I encourage you to dig deeper.