Elizabeth Custer & the Wedding

The Elizabeth Custer book Howard Kazanjian and I wrote entitled None Wounded, None Missing, All Dead will be in bookstores everywhere in May. In preparation for the release of this title I am going to chronicle what George and Elizabeth Custer were doing at this time in 1864. Fortunately, Elizabeth kept a journal and the letters George wrote survived the years, so keeping track of what they were doing some 147 years ago is easy to find out. The two were married on February 9, 1864. Elizabeth’s father wasn’t sure at first that George was the perfect man for his daughter, but as time went on he grew to appreciate the brash, young Civil War hero. Judge Bacon, Elizabeth’s father, wrote a friend about the ceremony and how he was dealing with losing his only child. “On Tuesday evening Libbie was married. All went off remarkably well, and no mistake made. It was said to be the most splendid wedding ever seen in the State. From one to two hundred more in the church than ever before and as many unable to enter for want of room. The number at our house afterwards estimated at three-hundred. I did not act the babe as I had feared I might at parting, for I had schooled myself beforehand. None of us slept that first night, fearing burglars, by yesterday I placed the silver in the Bank, and we went to bed at seven to make up for lost sleep. My wife looks well. Everybody said the house and fixings were all right, and the entertainment elegant.” Judge Bacon and his wife gave the newlyweds a Bible as a wedding gift. I believe that Bible is on display at the museum in Elizabeth’s home town of Monroe, Michigan. Elizabeth had two nieces that she was particular fond of and who helped take care of her in her old age. She was quite proud of them. Reading about their dedication to her made me think of my own nieces and how special they are to me. My niece Melissa suggested I write about the five of them instead of focusing on the sadness and loss in life. I think she’s right. It doesn’t seem possible that my nieces Melissa, Naomi, and Amanda could have children of their own now. My twin nieces, Taylor and Jordan are now Juniors in high school. I am proud of all of them and love them deeply. Elizabeth bragged that her nieces were “extraordinary women who far and away exceeded her dreams for them.” I look forward to saying the same about my girls.