Post by Diane Merkel on Jun 5, 2008 22:20:42 GMT -6
This story is presented exactly as it was sent to me by Richard Tilford. I'll be interested in your comments!
by testament of the house maid
The custers and the tilfords celebrated their wedding anniversary for the past four years of their mutual
relationship every february, the custers came down to fort Rice that february 1876 to have that dinner
with a full meal at the officers quarters,after the supper GA.custer got up and went to the living room to
straiten his tunic in front of a mirror. The mirror cracked and the maid was next to him when this event
happened. the maid went to the dining table where libbie was informed about what had just happened.
Libbie turned white when she was informed about the episode where she grabbed custer to the carriage
and proceeded back to ft lincoln that late afternoon. Joseph Tilford had a sharp attach of rheomatoid arthritis
a few weeks later and was given a furlough to go on mercy leave back to St. Louis MO. Custer requested
tilford for the sue campaign, Tilford arrived in Bismarck a week late when custer was massacred on plains
of the little big horn. Tilford assumed command of Ft. Lincoln, The former curator of Ft. Meade found this
document behind a desk at that informed her of this story. She called me and informed me of this content
of the maids recollection and forward this to me by fax and by letter. Richard Tilford
As a foot note to this event at the age of 44 years i was on crutches for six months because of rheumatoid
arthrtis.