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Post by Tricia on Jul 25, 2007 14:54:09 GMT -6
Definately some safety to be found in marriage, I guess. Pregancy easily disguised ... of course, GAC didn't have to worry about that--so one thinks. But it only takes one little swimmer to break through the damn ... you just don't know what degree of sterility he might have suffered. But you're right; it's all very English Country House Weekend.
I was also surprised by how many folks at the LBHA like my diagnosis of an early menopause for the fine Libbie; I mean, she looks awful when she first comes to FAL. Not just prematurely aged from riding in the sun with her Sweet Autie, but grey and fat.
Nope, not the Bean girls. Especially Cora. U-G-L-Y. And I believe it was her photo that got misidentified as Libbie in last month's Wild West. Fortunately Steve Alexander has given them a lashing, which will be in next month's edition. I mean, come on--Cora Bean mistaken for Libbie? GAC could only have hoped. In my narrative, I present the Sisters Bean as sort of like kissing cousins to the Boy General; fun to play around with and easy to keep himself celebate.
Oh, yes. Good ol' naughty Autie. --t.
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Post by Diane Merkel on Jul 25, 2007 23:55:18 GMT -6
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Post by elisabeth on Jul 26, 2007 2:23:49 GMT -6
Diane,
Any news on when Chuck's book is due out? I'm longing to read it, and to see the info re Benteen's annotations ... That'll be fascinating.
Have just realised something a bit distressing to a Tupperware Tendency member such as myself. Mathey's often cited as confirming the flirtation story and the begged-for-his-life story, so we can gleefully tell ourselves "it's not just Benteen's gossip". But --- according to the Nichols Men With Custer, it appears Mathey didn't join the regiment until September 24th 1867. (At least, that's the date of his appointment. No idea when he physically joined.) So he wasn't there when these events were taking place. He can only be recounting what he's been told by others.
Mathey's story differs somewhat from Benteen's, so maybe Benteen wasn't his source. Benteen says Eliza got Brewster to write to Custer warning him about the Libbie/Weir relationship. Mathey's version is that some officer at Riley wrote anonymously to the newspapers about it. That's quite a discrepancy. Since neither man was present at Fort Wallace when Custer received whatever news it was that prompted his jaunt, logic says that the basic story must have begun from yet a third source -- presumably an individual who was there, for it to be believed. How many changes it went through via the Chinese-whispers process before Benteen's and Mathey's versions were committed to paper all those years later, one can't begin to guess. (Benteen arrived at Wallace only a day or two after Custer had set off, so his version is more likely to be authentic -- not necessarily true, but a truer reflection than Mathey's of the story, true or not, being told at Fort Wallace at the time.)
From Libbie's letters to Custer at the time, she is really being rather naughty; playing power games, trying to see if she can yank GAC's string. There seems to be something of a "which do you care for more, the army or me?" contest going on. I wouldn't totally put it past her to have planted the rumour herself, to see if that was finally enough to get him scurrying back to her. It was, and she'd won; but it was definitely a Pyrrhic victory. If she was actively trying to get him thrown out of the army, that didn't work; if she thought she could give a fillip to their relationship with no harm done, that didn't work either. She can't, I think, have foreseen that he'd make such an irresponsible mess of getting back to her: massive escort, forced marches, abandoning wounded, etc. She probably visualised him simply hopping onto the stagecoach and dashing back: a Grand Romantic Gesture, yet a discipline infraction he could easily talk his way out of. Instead, the episode neither ended his career nor left it intact. He emerged looking damaged, flaky, and untrustworthy, and with a cloud over his promotion prospects for ever after. No wonder their relationship had its stormy patches in the years that followed ...
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Post by Tricia on Jul 26, 2007 3:44:17 GMT -6
Elisabeth--
I think "stormy" might be too kind a term; GAC and LBC were master manipulators, each one trying to claim superiority in the marriage ... but Libbie was a public relations' queen. And that's what brought her errant husband back to her bed. Eventually she finally tired of GAC's games and tossed him on his butt in the winter of 1869 and '70. Those Custers were as thick as thieves and I can't imagine them spending a Christmas apart unless there was real trouble in the relationship ...
Not to cheaply promote my narrative, but I interpret Libbie as one of the biggest reasons GAC received promotion after promotion during the ACW. He was just too much of a wild card to bear ... at the end of the first book, she says that she alone can guide his public image, which admittedly in 1866, had been through the wringer. And the wash cycle ...
But I think you've got the "one perfect day" down to a science. I wouldn't put it past LBC to create those circumstances that dragged her husband to his knees and back home. As you can tell, I'm not the biggest Libbie fan!
Ahh, the Tupperware Gossip returns. Ain't nothing better. It certainly can take our minds off the nightmare of the BOD's situation. And yes, I'm up verrry late doing the rewrite of Chapter Three; got to get it ready and fast!
--t.
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Post by elisabeth on Jul 26, 2007 5:19:16 GMT -6
Does that mean the book will be out soon? ?? I do so agree with your take on this. Game-players par excellence. And so evenly matched, which is what makes it such a glorious spectator sport. Looks as if she was up to something again in '68, as there's that October '68 letter of GAC's saying she's promised him she'll "never give me another uneasy moment". And then the January '69 one about the unnamed "mutual friend" he's warned her to be on her guard about; clearly he's slightly alarmed to find she didn't need to be told the name -- since if she already knows who he means, whoever it is must have already started trying it on. And then, of course, 1870/71, when things are really getting serious. She gives as good as she gets, that's for sure; no grounds for complacency in that marriage. Though GAC does regain the ascendancy by mid-1871. Once they're in Kentucky, he's able to park her out of harm's way in dull-as-ditchwater Elizabethtown, while he gets to swan around Louisville and other fun spots. Come to think of it, this is a bit of a turning-point, isn't it -- as he's top dog from then on. She has to serve out her Elizabethtown punishment in patience, with only the Grand Duke Alexis outing to cheer things up; GAC then gets to exile his "threats", as you've said; and from here on in the power has shifted, with GAC reborn as famous writer, discoverer of gold in the Black Hills, and so on. It's as if she's somewhat tamed from then on; no more games. Like you, I don't find her the nicest person in the world. But I do find her fascinating. Like a cross between Becky Sharp and Cleopatra, with a tiny dollop of Lady Macbeth thrown in. Such fun to observe.
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Post by Tricia on Jul 26, 2007 13:13:31 GMT -6
Elisabeth--
I think the phrase I'd use to describe the book is "sooner rather than later." Some very big things have happened since my trip to LBH; I've gotten myself a very powerful supporter ... and I'l leave it at that. We're following a couple of avenues, all of which are amazing. And unexpected.
Yes, yes--to quote GAC--things do seem to have eased up once they got to FAL; I think both of them finally matured (especially him). That's just the way marriage seems to work, at least in my experience. You still must have the ability to stand on your own feet--even in a lifelong relationship--and it's obvious that post-Civil War, GAC didn't for quite a while. Of course, many of his problems were of his own making ... or were they Libbie's?
Now that's an interesting concept. --t.
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Post by Montana Bab on Jul 26, 2007 16:28:43 GMT -6
Ladies, (Tricia & Elisabeth) Keep up the good work! I am thoroughly enjoying the Tupperware Gossip ! It's refreshing ! Elisabeth==I don't know if you are aware, but your posting #19 (and #17) is the juiciest pre-manuscript of a great book !! When will it be out? Bab
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Post by Tricia on Jul 26, 2007 17:25:08 GMT -6
Born and Bred--
You're so right. Elisabeth has got to get writing; there is plenty of scandal out there to be had. A second love triangle might have existed between GAC/LBC/Keogh and that one might have been serious. As you know, Keogh applied for sick leave before Little Bighorn which was refused ... was this Custer's way of keeping an eye on the fine captain and away from Libbie?
The possibilites are remarkable. --t.
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Post by Realbird on Jul 26, 2007 17:52:21 GMT -6
Joe-- Goodness! You've been drinking the Custer Kool Aide! I would like to know what Libbie did that comprised "heroism," really. Glad to see you back on the boards! MRW ... Thank you for your warm welcome. I truly appreciate it. My last thread was based upon my undying admiration for all women/widows who manage to excel despite the idiosyncrasies of their spouses. A strong woman is the salvation of mankind, Amen.
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Post by Tricia on Jul 26, 2007 18:51:41 GMT -6
Realbird--
Try telling that to my late spouse! But you are more than welcome aboard; we're a friendly place, despite DC's intentions. But he can be civiilised from time to time.
And we loooove those crazy rumors! --t.
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Post by elisabeth on Jul 26, 2007 20:45:35 GMT -6
Tricia & Bab --
Yes, it is fun, isn't it. The clues are there for a very different version of the Custer marriage, I think. It takes some piecing together ... but my goodness, it's interesting!
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Post by Melani on Jul 26, 2007 20:46:24 GMT -6
A second love triangle might have existed between GAC/LBC/Keogh and that one might have been serious. --t. I was wondering when you ladies were going to get around to that--remember those letters at auction that Diane directed us to? And the one where Custer congratulates Libbie on repelling Keogh's advances?
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Post by Tricia on Jul 26, 2007 20:53:55 GMT -6
Melani--
I'd been thinking of starting another thread to explore the Keogh/Libbie thing, but just couldn't wait! So, let's gossip away ... and yes, Elisabeth, the hints and clues are there; I tend to think Louise Barnett might have open the floodgates; the Custers' marriage was an unusual coupling ...
You know, thinking upon some of the writings of Kate Gibson Fougera--when she watched Libbie in a hammock, GAC gently rocking her and offering more than a little affection, I wonder if he's making up for a certain level of insecurity. You know, "this is mine?"
Trish
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Post by elisabeth on Jul 26, 2007 20:56:44 GMT -6
Melani --
Exactly ...
Trying to work out exactly what was going on isn't easy -- but maybe it can be done. Believe me, I'm working on it!
Tricia: agree, Louise Barnett ... and also Shirley Leckie, who's very sound on the marriage difficulties too.
The tricky bit at the moment is trying to make out how early it all began. It's just possible that the January 1869 letter might refer to Keogh -- but only if he was in and around Leavenworth in December '68/January '69, which I haven't yet been able to establish. (All I know so far is that when booted off the Washita campaign along with Sully, he went to Harker. As AAIG, he could have gone anywhere after that, so why not Leavenworth ... Have made inquiries; waiting for confirmation.) If that's the case, then Custer must already have had cause for concern before Washita. The Custers and Keogh were both at Leavenworth together for a short while earlier that summer: Keogh on his return from his breaking-his-leg leave (staying, it's thought, with Mike Sheridan), and the Custers still staying in Phil Sheridan's quarters after the court-martial (they didn't leave there till June). So they must have mixed socially then. One would have thought the atmosphere might have been a bit awkward, given the stance Keogh had taken over the court-martial; but maybe not.
Otherwise: Fort Hays, from April 1869? If Keogh suddenly found himself excessively attracted to his CO's wife, it could help account for some of the depression in his letters that summer, and for his eagerness to get his home leave extended for as long as possible; he could have been trying to get it out of his system.
Once he's back at Leavenworth in spring 1870, he pointedly steers clear of the Custers as far as possible and spends his time at the Sturgis house. Still struggling to be good, perhaps? But not for long -- because by the fall of 1870 Custer is complaining that Libbie has turned against him, and that it's because she's had her mind poisoned against him by "others" (plus the small matter of his own infidelities, of course). He whisks her away to Denver, St. Louis, Topeka, wherever Keogh isn't, but it doesn't work; he goes off to Washington, and the Custers spend Christmas apart -- with Libbie and Keogh both at Leavenworth.
Then come the events of early 1871, with all that shuttling about between Kansas and New York ... Well, that's for another day. (Many speculations I could air, but had better not yet!) Custer at all events affects in the end to believe nothing's happened, and Keogh affects to be interested only in Mrs. Hough -- but Keogh and Libbie must still be corresponding, as by May 1871 Custer still feels it necessary to give Libbie a cease-and-desist warning. But after that, it does all seem to settle down. Libbie's in purdah in Elizabethtown, Keogh appears to have found other interests in Louisville, and Custer no longer feels it necessary even to keep Calhoun as his spy in Keogh's company, but moves him elsewhere. Still ... when the 7th leaves the South, it's the twin threats, Keogh and Weir, who are posted far far away from the rest of the regiment. They're not allowed back in Libbie's orbit until 1875.
Thanks to those splendid letters, there's no doubt that the triangle existed. How serious it was is hard to gauge. Custer was certainly worried. Keogh's affections seem to have been somewhat torn between Libbie and the tragically-widowed Josephine Buel (McDougall's sister, and the lady whose photograph he carried into battle with him at LBH.); while Libbie was at least emotionally involved enough to be pretty jealous of Josephine ...
Custer's role in all this is quite fascinating. Instead of blustering and accusing, he adopts a softly-softly approach that leaves Libbie's ego intact and holds the door open for her to return to the fold with no recriminations. He's even almost nurturing and understanding -- he offers Libbie reassurances about the Josephine situation! (Remarkable.) And he remains on easy terms with Keogh, too. It's as if he feels they're all three in this together, all suffering, and his one aim is to get them all through it in one piece. The more I look at it, the more I think I admire him for the way he acts over this. Never thought I'd say such a thing, but I do.
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Post by Montana Bab on Jul 26, 2007 23:20:02 GMT -6
Gosh, Elisabeth!
If this is all true, you've certainly painted a different picture of Mr. Custer for me! (A perfect gentleman?) Saints preserve me for saying this, but it's almost sweet!
You are sweetening the bait for that book I hope you'll write! I'm already sold!
B&B
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