Tom Custer Q and A!

[Tricia]

All--

I cannot believe we haven't started a thread concerning Thomas Ward Custer! Perhaps we can lob our questions and comments about him here. Although the two biographies of him leave something to be desired, I found myself asking more and more about the guy. He was, IMHO, a mixture of both daredevilness and demons--and seemingly--a constant object of Libbie's well-meaning concern. And Armstrong's.

During the spring/summer of 1866, as Libbie tactfully wrote, TWC went from "flower to flower." And wouldn't you know it, it appears his pollenation--so to speak--proved successful, at least in one example. Are there any extant descriptions (preferably Tom's) of the woman in question, Rebecca Minerd? And is there a date for the birth of Tom Custer, the younger? I know the kid died of tuberculosis.

If anybody has anything else they want to pursue about Tom, let's hear it! Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Leyton McLean

[Diane Merkel]

Leyton, the Summer 2005 Research Review has an article by Mark Miner, of the Minerd family, called "Tontogany's Deep Secret: The Unknown Son of Thomas Ward Custer." There is some information about Rebecca as well as a couple of photos. It states that Tom the younger's exact birth date isn't known, but the author believes it to be circa 1870-71 even though the obituary below makes it appear to have been 1866.

Nephew of Gen. Custer Dead.

Saturday evening occurred the death of Tom Custer, at his home at Tontogany, from an attack of typhoid fever. Deceased was aged 30 years, and leaves a wife. He was a nephew of General Custar [sic], of Indian fighting fame. The funeral was held on Monday. Tom Custer, father of the deceased, was also killed at the Battle of the Big Horn, where Gen. Custer was slain.

The source cited is Wood County Sentinel, Bowling Green, Ohio, August 6, 1896, 3.

It's a nice article and even includes your "flower to flower" reference.

[Treasuredude]

I've read Day's RIDE TO GLORY and it's not bad. There's another book, BROTHER'S SHADOW??, and I've only paged through it at a book store. That one didn't impress me too much.

Tom has always interested me. He's an interesting guy with his rattlesnake collection and all. Like his big brother once said, "I sometimes feel like Tom should have been the General and I the Captain."

I think Tom had a wonderful sense of humor. I also get the feeling that at the same time he was somewhat sad.

[Walt Cross]

The Captain Thomas W. Custer Camp 4, Oklahoma Department, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, is located in Guthrie, Oklahoma, an hour and a half drive or so from the site of the Battle of the Washita. I suggested the camp be named for Tom in recognition of his exceptional accomplishments in the Civil War.

Walt Cross

[Tricia]

Walt and TD--

You all make good points. It's kind of hard to get a handle on Tom (his life was so brief)--one of the questions I have is how much did he subjugate his own, albeit potential, success when he transferred from infantry to his brother's cavalry brigade during the ACW? Did he hitch himself a little too tightly to Armstrong's star? I mean, in the end, look what happened ... but I wonder what his career would have been without his brother's interference. Perhaps that' was a bit behind his "sadness?"

"Here, Libbie ... let me show you my rattlesnakes ..."

Regards,
Leyton McLean

[custerstillstands]

A lot of writers have written about Tom's jealousy about Autie's life.

I haven't read much about Tom's writings (a letter "Custer Story" and some quotes in Louise Barnett and others). Do his writings reflect his "sadness" ? Was he cynical ? Fun ?

[Tricia]

custerstillstands said:

A lot of writers have written about Tom's jealousy about Autie's life.

I haven't read much about Tom's writings (a letter "Custer Story" and some quotes in Louise Barnett and others). Do his writings reflect his "sadness" ? Was he cynical ? Fun ?

I think Tom's demons can be symbols of what we might consider "sadness," or some depression. It seems his alcohol usage veered into the problematic, but when compared to the real drunks in the Seventh ... Libbie was always trying to get him to walk the straight and narrow--both with the drink and tobacco--not unlike how she and Lydia Reed thought some churchin' up would be good for Armstrong. Ultimately, I believe Libbie's intent for her brother-in-law (along with many others in the regiment) was to find him a good wife, and it is kind of sad that his New Jersey fiancee predeceased him.

I think a certain, honourable sense of loyalty ruled Tom. Family came first with the Custers and it's almost like Tom subjugated the success he might have found if on his own to that of his brother. And I think Tom would have been incredibly successful in any aspect of life he chose.

But there was jealousy on both sides of the brothers' equation.

Regards,
Leyton McLean

[Tricia]

Diane--

Just a footnote. Received "The LBHA Research Review" early this week--and enjoyed it thoroughly (though I did take some issue with Kevin Connelly's staccato writing style). Due to you, I've started a correspondance with Mark Miner (the author of "Tontogany's Deep Secret") and he is offering some great insight into my characterisations of not only Rebecca Minerd, but that of TWC!

Thanks again,
Leyton McLean

[markland]

*grumble, grumble, grumble*

You guys make Tom out to be a wuss! Tom happened to be too late, and in the wrong branch of service, to make an impression. If Tom had been two years earlier, chances are great that he would have been at least, in my opinion, a Colonel in a volunteer regiment and....most likely dead as he would have stayed infantry.

My sentiments, without all the psychoanalaysis being performed, is that Tom was happiest where the action was. That is why he liked serving under GAC, who had the same temperament. An officer with two MOHs and the ear of the Department's Commanding Officer (through his brother) did have opportunities to transfer to other regiments and make his own reputation. The fact that Tom did not says, to me anyway, that he was perfectly happy being in the "shadow" of GAC along with all the perks which fell his way.

The next time I go to his grave (next week), something tells me I will have some explaining to do...*wink*


Billy

[Tricia]

markland said:

*grumble, grumble, grumble*

You guys make Tom out to be a wuss! Tom happened to be too late, and in the wrong branch of service, to make an impression. If Tom had been two years earlier, chances are great that he would have been at least, in my opinion, a Colonel in a volunteer regiment and....most likely dead as he would have stayed infantry.

My sentiments, without all the psychoanalaysis being performed, is that Tom was happiest where the action was. That is why he liked serving under GAC, who had the same temperament. An officer with two MOHs and the ear of the Department's Commanding Officer (through his brother) did have opportunities to transfer to other regiments and make his own reputation. The fact that Tom did not says, to me anyway, that he was perfectly happy being in the "shadow" of GAC along with all the perks which fell his way.

The next time I go to his grave (next week), something tells me I will have some explaining to do...*wink*


Billy

Billy--

In no way do I wish to portray TWC as a "wuss." Obviously, he was a hero of his own making, hence him becoming the only solider to be cited twice for the Medal of Honour during the Civil War. As I have said, Tom had a keen sense of family loyalty, one that might have led him to willingly subjugate his own desires to that of the Custer name. Of course, the opportunity to serve at Armstrong's side came with a certain amount of sibling jealousy and competition. It has been so since the beginning of time. But in my writing, I am more interested in Tom's passion for life as well as his relationship with Libbie.

As I recall, Tom WAS a breveted a Lieutenent Colonel of Volunteers. That was a mighty jump from his original entry into the ACW as a lowly private.

What is sad is that in his son's (Thomas C. Custer)obituary was that the kid was identified as Armstrong's nephew first, and it is only in its last sentence that his father, Thomas Ward Custer, is acknowledged. Barely.

BTW--thanks for your enlightened portrayal of Tom's rhuematism in 1866. I figured (since it abated in the middle of the summer of 1867) it was contagious; I appreciate your insight!

Happy early holidays!
Leyton McLean

[Scout]

Tom appears to have been well liked in the regiment, only Benteen said negative things about him, but he said bad things about everyone in the regiment. I don't think ol' Benteen even liked himself. A friend recently read ''In His Brother's Shadow,'' and said he couldn't recommend it. I haven't read it myself. I don't think Tom was jealous of GAC though. Tom's drinking got him into trouble more than once and I think he was written up for it on several occasions. My take on him is that he was more of an introvert than older brother George.

[elisabeth]

And even Benteen doesn't accuse Tom of direct crookery on his own behalf -- only of occasionally aiding GAC in his. Tom comes across as a much more generous-hearted chap than his brother, not pompous at all, and much less obsessed with money; the sort of all-round "good fellow" everyone was happy to have a drink or a game of poker with. As for the drinking trouble: maybe it was a genetic thing, and he shared GAC's poor head for liquor?

The only real hint of a dark side we get, apart from the inherent sadism in practical jokes like the rattlesnake affair, is a streak of contemptuous racism in his treatment of Indians ... In one of Libbie's books she describes how he "wittily" says appalling things to Indians, secure in the knowledge that they don't understand English. (Maybe they did, and maybe THAT's why he got the treatment at LBH!) And she tells us how he insists on calling Monahseta "Sallie Ann". OK, that COULD be affectionate, but it does have the feel of "I can't be bothered with your stupid foreign name" about it, doesn't it? I suppose it's unfair to blame him too harshly for sharing the prejudices of his time; even so, one would warm to him more if he didn't.

That's a great observation about Benteen, Scout. I think you've hit somehing there.

[alfuso]

"Sally Ann" was also a campfire term for a hooker.

alfuso

[Diane Merkel]

Leyton -- A belated note since I somehow missed your post of November 25.

I'm glad you enjoyed the Research Review that you've taken the next step of contacting Mark Miner. I've found that most LBH-related authors are very generous with their time and knowledge and don't mind answering questions and helping others explore their topics. It's great to hear of another positive experience.

Diane

[Scout]

Tom definetly stands in his brother's shadow, but here is a two time MOH winner and yet seems to not say much about them. As far as his attitude toward indians it was probably a general attitude of not only the regiment, but reflected the times, can't really say though. He was photographed a number of times with the Bates sisters, was there ever any mention of a serious relationship there? I understand Libby tried to act the matchmaker role on several occasions with him. GAC even cut one of these matchups short because the girl had a reputation, as if Tom didn't!! Tom is still a mysterious figure in some ways, but my guess is he appears to be a troubled soul in someways. Living in his older brother's shadow, single, posted in God forsaken places. No wonder he and so many others turned to old John Barleycorn for relief.