276 OCEAN TO OCEAN ON HORSEBACK, 



Monroe had asked that I would tell them something of 

 my experience with Custer during the late war before 

 beginning the lecture, as everything relating to him 

 was at that time of the most thrilling interest to them. 

 It was not difficult to comply with this request. The 

 old scenes of 1863 were as fresh in memory as though 

 they had been witnessed but yesterday. 



My first meeting with Custer was at the third battle 

 of Brandy Station on the twelfth of September, 1863, 

 as the Cavalry Corps then acting as the advance of the 

 Army of the Potomac was moving toward Culpeper in 

 pursuit of Lee's retreating columns. Custer had but 

 recently been commissioned brigadier-general and this 

 was the first time he went into action at the head of 

 his brigade. His appearance was very conspicuous. A 

 mere boy in years, gorgeously equipped, in short, bear- 

 ing upon his person all the gold lace and other para- 

 phernalia allowed his rank, he formed a striking 

 figure — such a one as is seldom seen on the battle- 

 field. His arrival at Brandy Station was at a critical 

 juncture, and while we were momentarily expecting a 

 conflict with Stuart's cavalry, then directly in our 

 front, all had a curiosity to see how the gayly dressed 

 brigadier would acquit himself. It seemed to be the 

 general impression that he would not have the nerve to 

 "face the music" with his bandbox equipment, but he 

 soon proved himself equal to the occasion. Being 

 ordered to charge the enemy, he snatched his cap from 

 his head, handed it to his orderly, drew his sword 

 and dashed to the front of his brigade, then formed in 

 column of squadrons. The command "Forward!" 

 was instantly given. A moment later " Trot ! '' was 

 sounded; then "Gallop!" and "Charge!" and before 



