There were also significant contributions this small town made toward the Civil War in the form of Generals: Joseph Bailey, Jeremiah Rusk and Otho Strahl. James Ball Naylor wrote about Malta in the form of poetry and historical novels which focused on the struggles of the frontier settlers and Indian tribes in this area. He is remembered fondly in the towns history and on signs placed throughout the area.

The town itself is quaint. Vistors should see the Town hall, Rock Hollow School and the reconstructed Morgan County Dundeon that was operated from 1833 to 1839.

In the month of July each year the Malta/ McConnelsville, Ohio or Hanoverton Heritage Days, Ohio is held. This reenactment including both sides of the conflict is a real treat to experience. If you would like to experience all of this, it is possible to do so over an extended weekend and I suggest in the month of July. Fall is also a good time to take in the glorious Fall colors.

Nearby Historical places to stay and visit are:

The Lafayette Hotel in Marietta Ohio opened in 1916 and was named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette who visited the city in 1825 at a site near the hotel. It is triangular in shape and can offer its guests views of the Ohio or Muskingum Rivers. The diningroom features quite a display of longrifles, including one made by J. J. Henry that accompanied the Benedict Aronold expedition to Quebec in 1775. Maritta Ohio is an official stop for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company. Several times a year, the Mississippi Queen, the Grand American Queen, and/or the Delta Queen dock at the Ohio River Levee beside the Lafayette Hotel. Nearby attractions to the Hotel are the Fenton Art Glass, The Castle, Underground Railroad Tour at the Levee House Cafe, Valley Gem Sternwheeler Museum and the Marietta Soda Museum just to name a few.

A side excursion and wonderful place to stay while visiting the area is the Stockport Mill Inn, in Stockport Ohio at Lock #6 on the Muskingum River. This jewel of a hotel which was originally a Mill includes wonderful eating, beautiful views and a therapeutic atmosphere. Another historical must see and all of these are 4-5 hours from Monroe County Michigan, which is where blogsmonroe.com originates.

I hope you take the time to enjoy one of my weekend excursions. I would love to hear from some of you as to whether there is an interest in me putting together a bus tour together orginating from Monroe Michigan, and traveling to Gettysburg during which time I will be your historical tour guide in the Spring of next year or would most of you want to experience the Gettysburg address commemoration in the Fall? Please leave me your comments…………………….

The story is, while resurrecting the Postwar Home of Jefferson Davis, a more than 8 foot gator was discovered. He was lifted out of the water with a backhoe by one of the crewman working on the antebellum home. Beauvoir’s chairman named the gator Beauregard, after the Southern General who famously questioned Jefferson Davis’ authority during the war, and later engaged in a war of words with him after both published their memoirs. In fact, Beauregard is noted for saying after the death of Jefferson Davis, “We have always been enemies. I cannot pretend I am sorry he is gone. I am no hypocrite.” If that doesn’t give you a glimpse of the relationship they shared, I don’t know what else will!

Beauregard has not been caught as of yet; he’s a sneeky devil! A smaller 6 foot gator was trapped and removed, but Beauregard has alluded them. Beauvoir’s chairman has been noted as saying, he would like to be able to keep the gator on the property, but can’t, as they they are too much of a threat to visitors. I bet Jefferson Davis would agree that Beauregard could be a thorn to have around! Ya think?

Fearing the antebellum home was beyond repair, Beauvior was resurrected in time to celebrate the bicenntenial of Davis’s birth in June. On June 3rd 2008 a rededication ceremony marked the completetion of its nearly $4 million dollar restoration. Much of the restoration was completed with donated funds and it symbolizes societies need/desire to maintain its Southern Heritage.

Hats off to you in Biloxi and all those involved in this unbelievable restoration project. Great Job!!!!!!!!!!!

in the land of traitors

Rattlesnakes and alligators

right away, right away

right away, right away.

Where cotton’s king

and men are chattles

Union boys will win the battles

Right away, right away,

right away, right away.

Then we’ll all go down to Dixie,

away, away,

Each Dixie boy must understand

That he must mind his

Uncle Sam

Away, away, And we’ll; all go

down to Dixie

Away, away, And we’ll all go

down to Dixie.

I can just hear these songs being sung by their respective armies. Joking, drinking, laughing, or crying…sharing their stories by campfire each night after a long days walk or battle. All three version lend to a better understanding for us of the mind set of these people so long ago.

Southrons, hear your country call you Up! lest worse than death befall you To arms! to arms! to arms! in Dixie!

Lo! all the beacons fires are lighted, Lo! all the hearts now be united To arms! to arms! to arms! in Dixie!

Advance the flag of Dixie Hurrah! Hurrah! for Dixie’s land we’ll take our stand, And live or die for Dixie!

To Arms! to arms! And conquer peace for Dixie! To arms! to arms! And Conquer peace for Dixie! 

Next I will publish the Pro Union version.

Have a Dixie Day!!!!!!!!!

Dis worl’ was made in jiss six days, An finish up in various ways; Look away, look away, look away! Dixie Land.

Dey den made dixie trim an’ nice, But Adam call’d it “Paradise,” Look away, look away, look away! Dixie Land.

I wish I was in land ob cotton, Old times dar am not forgotten, Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

In Dixie Land whar’ I was born in, early on one frosty mornin’, Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

Chorus:

Den I wish I was in Dixie, Hoo-ray! Hoo-ray! In Dixie land, I’ll take my stand to lib and die in Dixie; Away, away, away down south in Dixie, Away, away, away down south in Dixie.

Old Missus marry Will-de-weaber, Willium was a gay deceaber; Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

But when he put his arms around ‘er, He smiled as fierce as a forty-pounder, Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

His face was sharp as a butcher’s cleaber, But dat did not seem to greab’er; Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

Old Missus acted the foolish part, And died for a man dat broke her heart, Look away! look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

Now here’s a health to the next old Missus, And all the gals dat want to kiss us; Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

But if you want to drive ‘way sorrow, come hear dis song to-morrow, Look away! look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
Dar’s buckwheat cakes an’ Injun batter, Makes you fat or a little fatter; Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

Den hoe it down and scratch your grabble, To Dixie’s land I’m bound to trabble, Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

(the tune has always remained constant, but, its lyrics were constantly changed to commemorate everything from battles to “Rattlesnakes and alligators” the follow-up to this article will be two other versions of this original song)

When I put my pen to the paper I did not know the first word that I should make use of in writing the terms. I only knew what was in my mind, and I wished to express it clearly, so that there could be no mistaking it. As I wrote on, the thought occurred to me that the officers had their own private horses and effects, which were important to them, but of no value to us; also that it would be an unnecessary humiliation to call upon them to deliver their side arms.

No conversation, not one word, passed between General Lee and myself, either about private property, side arms, or kindred subjects. He appeared to have no objections to the terms first proposed; or if he had a point to make against them he wished to wait until they were in writing to make it. When he read over that part of the terms about side arms, horses and private property of the officers, he remarked, with some feeling, I thought, that this would have a happy effect upon his army.

Then, after a little further conversation, General Lee remarked to me again that their army was organized a little differently from the army of the United States (still maintaining by implication that we were two countries); that in their army the cavalrymen and artillerists owned their own horses; and he asked if he was to understand that the men who so owned their horses were to be permitted to retain them. I told him that as the terms were written they would not; that only the officers were permitted to take their private property, He then, after reading over the terms a second time, remarked that that was clear.

I then said to him that I thought this would be about the last battle of the war–I sincerely hoped so; and I said further I took it that most of the men in the ranks were small farmers. The whole country had been so raided by the two armies that it was doubtful whether they would be able to put in a crop to carry themselves and their families through the next winter without the aid of the horses they were then riding. The Unites States did not want them and I would, therefore, instruct the officers I left behind to recieve the paroles of his troops to let every man of the Confederate army who claimed to own a horse or a mule take the animal to his home. Lee remarked again that this would have a happy effect.

I had not come across this before, and I felt it worth sharing, to give us all a small window into the moments shared by these two men.

Thanks to David of Co. F, 50th North Carolina Infantry for supplying me with this information.

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.