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Post by PhillyBlair on Jan 11, 2007 15:03:15 GMT -6
It's important to remember in all of this that Libbie could not have forged Custer's image on her own. I mentioned on this site not long ago how someone (it was either Windolph or Taylor) wrote of anger toward Custer immediately after LBH, but this anger changed when all the facts were known. Clearly, Libbie was not alone in her pro-Custer stance even among survivors of LBH. Even in an age of discretion and chivalry, someone still would have trashed Custer in spite of Libbie, but could possibly have been dissuaded if they anticipated public outcry for "hero bashing." This was bigger than Libbie.
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Post by Dark Cloud on Jan 11, 2007 15:51:53 GMT -6
"It's important to remember in all of this that Libbie could not have forged Custer's image on her own." Have no clue what that means, but she certainly was a professional widow, and she created a Custer in her books that did not exist.
All the facts aren't known yet, so I'm puzzled by Windolph or Taylor thinking they were.
Mrs. Custer was not alone - hardly that - in her professed adoration for her husband, but she was the instigator with profit motive to damn Reno beyond all reason. The "only coward" in the regiment, etc.
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Post by PhillyBlair on Jan 11, 2007 17:00:07 GMT -6
By not "forging the image on her own" I meant that she didn't have enough power, or enough of an audience, to do so. Even at her "best seller" pace she could only reach a small percentage of the population. The "Custer Myth" was a larger creation than Libbie alone could have produced.
"...she certainly was a professional widow, and she created a Custer in her books that did not exist."
To give her credit, one could also say that she presented a side of Custer that the public did not see. Like you I am extremely skeptical of the pristine image she painted, but I'm certain that there was a human side to GAC that was appealing to those who knew him. He was, after all, quite well loved by his inner circle -- and not just because of rank.
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Post by crzhrs on Jan 11, 2007 17:25:39 GMT -6
The only officer from the LBH I could find who corresponded with Libbie was Godfrey. In fact Libbie asked him to submit his Narrative to the Century Magazine to which he assented. Libbie then wrote her friend at Century that Captain Godfrey "would be glad to submit his paper to the Century for examination." She found Godfrey's article not at all distasteful. They corresponded up until his death.
Other than him no other surviving officer seemed to have much to do with Libbie.
One interesting note: After Godfrey's death in 1932 a friend wrote Libbie asking who would replace Godfrey in keeping the battle alive and before the world. "There isn't anyone living who could take his place. The old 7th Cavalry have all passed on but Col. Varnum and he never took any interest . . ."
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Post by PhillyBlair on Jan 11, 2007 17:34:26 GMT -6
Awesome stuff there, crzhrs!
"There isn't anyone living who could take his place. The old 7th Cavalry have all passed on but Col. Varnum and he never took any interest . . ."
What do you think Varnum didn't take interest in -- upholding the myth, or the battle in general?
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Post by crzhrs on Jan 11, 2007 17:46:20 GMT -6
There was no explanation in the book GENERAL CUSTER'S LIBBIE (Lawrence Frost) . . . but it is quite interesting. Whether Varnum wanted to forget those terrible days or didn't want to contribute to Custer's "myth" may be an answer.
There is a bio on Varnum which may explain more . . . but I have not read it.
Anyone read it or has some answers?
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Post by harpskiddie on Jan 11, 2007 20:26:20 GMT -6
Custer's Chief Of Scouts......'a must have.' Varnum was working on a narrative of the battle. I don't recall anything that would explain why he "never took any interest" except his poor health perhaps.
Gordie
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Post by PhillyBlair on Jan 12, 2007 12:32:37 GMT -6
Gordie, I just ordered that book. Thanks for the tip. Anything in there about the narrative in progress?
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Post by Dark Cloud on Jan 13, 2007 8:34:18 GMT -6
What's different is that Custer left his wife broke when all the markers came in. These other women were rich by most standards. Again: Ladies Scott and Franklin, widows of military heroes, are more applicable, or Alexander Hamilton's widow. Those had to flog official guilt and public memory to get some coverage and acclaim......and cash. Being a professional widow takes money.
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Post by harpskiddie on Jan 13, 2007 11:02:15 GMT -6
Philly:
Both of Varnum's unfinished narratives are in there, along with his testimony at the Reno Inquiry. An excellent reference, which you will find very interesting. I hesitate to say that you'll like it, since that is a matter of personal taste; but if you read it closely, you'll find some gems.
Enjoy.
Gordie
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Post by PhillyBlair on Jan 14, 2007 9:39:54 GMT -6
What happened to the life insurance policy that Custer took out for Libbie? Did it all go to pay the debt, or was it a small policy? I recall reading about it, but don't know any details.
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Post by elisabeth on Jan 14, 2007 10:37:23 GMT -6
It was only $5,000, and he owed -- I think -- over $13,000.
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Post by PhillyBlair on Jan 14, 2007 10:54:53 GMT -6
Geez, nice guy. I didn't know the policy was that small. Does anyone know the 2007 equivalent to $13,000?
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Post by elisabeth on Jan 14, 2007 11:21:28 GMT -6
Just to add to the nice-guy status, he'd failed to keep up the payments on another policy ($3,000) for his parents ...
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Post by PhillyBlair on Jan 14, 2007 11:44:05 GMT -6
I just clicked on an inflation calculator site. I realize these things aren't an exact science, but here's what I came up with (in US funds):
$13,000 in 1876 was the equivalent of $218,500 in 2005
Custer's salary in 1876 was $2,000 (it had been $8,000 in 1865 -- guess that demotion was a big deal!)
Assuming that Custer doubled his income via book royalties, magazine article incomes, etc. that brings him to $4,000.00 (I have no idea if he did better or worse than that). So, he likely owed at least his next three years of pay to debt.
Libbie should have been able to cash in on his name. That's the least he owed her!
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