Myth and Libbie Custer

In April 1865, the Rebels had surrendered to the Yankees, thus ending the Civil War.  George Custer arrived on the other side of the war a hero.  His actions at the Battle of the 1st Bull Run and subsequent heroic efforts helped bring about victory for the North.  Shortly after the official signing of the South’s declaration of surrender Major General Phil Sheridan sent Elizabeth Custer a gift along with a note of explanation.  It read, “My dear Madam – I respectfully present to you the small writing table on which the conditions for the surrender of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia were written by Lt. General Grant – and permit me to say, Madam, that there is scarecely an individual in our service who has contributed more to bring this about than your gallant husband.”   Regardless of what happened at the Battle of Little Bighorn, Elizabeth never forgot how George fought in the Civil War.  I don’t quite understand why Phil Sheridan thought the desk was his to give away.  The articles of surrender were signed in a private home and none of the items in the home belonged to the Major General.  By I digress…Elizabeth was loyal to George throughout the 12 years of their marriage and the 57 years after his passing.  Who doesn’t hope for such devotion from a spouse, a parent, their children, a  friend?   I had the pleasure of being a part of two radio broadcasts yesterday.  In both the interviews with KNCO and Capital Public Radio, I spoke about Elizabeth’s loyalty.  There’s no question in my mind her devotion made George the man he was.  I suppose after so many years of defending him and building him up to everyone who asked Elizabeth about her famous husband, she might have forgotten the real George (with all his flaws – and he had them) and lost herself in the myth of Custer.  Sometimes a myth is better than the real thing.  You rest easier believing your spouse never really cheated on you, your favorite actor pines only for you and isn’t tyring to match Marlon Brando’s weight before he dies, and your children would never tell such a horrible lie it lands you in prison and contributes to your suffering and early demise.  Elizabeth never remarried after George was killed at the Last Stand.  No one could ever measure up to the image of the Boy General she presented to the public.  Maybe myth is the way to go.