The New Custer Brass Band of Los Angeles, California will perform a free concert at the museum on Thursday, October 4th at 7:30 p.m. Folks are encouraged to come to the museum early and visit the Custer Exhibit. Steve Charpie, band leader remarked, “We’ll talk about his red ties and his brass band’s white horses and play his famous theme song Gary Owen. The stories are addicting!”
NOT THE "BEST" GENERAL, BUT THE BEST MAN: A CURIOUS INCIDENT IN THE CIVIL WAR CAREER OF GEORGE A. CUSTER
This presentation, by lifelong Custer student Vincent A. Heier, retired Catholic priest from St. Louis, Missouri, will take place on Saturday, October 6th, 10:30 a.m. at the Monroe County Historical Museum. Father Heier, a member of the Little Big Horn Association, has visited Monroe many times and shared his collection of memorabilia about Custer and the media. In fact some of his items are on display at the museum.
Following Father Heier, Lorne Langley will speak on CAPTAIN CUSTER IN ’62. Mr. Langley will be discussing George Custer’s Civil war experience in 1862, including both administrative and combat duties, which ultimately led to his promotion to general. Included will be the generals on whose staffs he served and their influences on the young captain, and his courtship and budding romance with Monroe’s Elizabeth Clift Bacon.
A special display will include Elizabeth Custer’s personal Michigan 7th Cavalry Regimental badge designed by General Custer for members of the Michigan Brigade. This badge, made by Tiffany’s of New York exclusively for Mrs. Custer, was thought to be lost. It is a Maltese Cross with top vertical bar as bottom point of a five-point General’s Star, the borders of both are etched and outlined with blue enamel. The curved horizontal portion of the Maltese Cross with CUSTER, surrounding in blue enamel, TUEBOR (I will defend) at bottom of cross in blue enamel. Freshwater pearls are arranged in the General’s Star and inside the Maltese Cross. This badge was among items given by Mrs. Custer to Margaret Flood, her personal assistant. There are few known existing “Custer Badges” and the smaller size made Mrs. Custer’s badge unique.
“The museum is very pleased to be able to showcase this exquisite item,” Curator Chris Kull reports. “This is truly a one-of-a-kind piece and we are glad it is back in Libbie’s hometown.”
Saturday, October 6th 10:30 a.m. – Father Vincent Heier Not The “Best” General, But The Best Man: A Curious Incident in the Civil War Career of George A. Custer
Saturday, October 6th 11:30 a.m. – Captain Custer in ’62 by Lorne Langley
Saturday, October 6th 1:30 p.m. – film The Court-martial of George Armstrong Custer
Saturday, October 6th 3:30 p.m. – Round Table Discussion with Eric Johnson, author of No Greater Calling
For further information contact Chris Kull at 240-7787.