Libbie Custer & the Fight for Right

On this day more than one hundred and forty years ago, Elizabeth Custer was reading a letter her husband had written to her on their anniversary. Elizabeth was in Monroe, Michigan and George was with his troops thirty-five miles from Fort Cobb. “I have made a long march since writing you,” his letter began. We have been to try to bring in Indian villages. But our provisions became exhausted; there was no game…. General Sheridan and staff just rode up to my tent. He got here a day before us. I selected my campsite about a mile from him, then what does he do this morning but pick up his tents and come over beside me. He has done this before. Today is our wedding anniversary. I am sorry we cannot spend it together, but I shall celebrate it in my heart.” Elizabeth loved receiving letters from George. She poured over them repeatedly. He kept her well informed about his activities in the field and made her feel as though getting back to her again was his only reason for living. When he died on June 25, 1876, she not only lost her husband, but her best friend. A friend she would fight for until she passed from this life. Elizabeth studied what happened to George at the Little Bighorn and weighed it against the men involved in the battle and what she knew of them. She believed men like Frederick Benteen turned their back on the General and let him die rather than help him. She was steadfast in the truth she knew and never let Benteen or the others forget what they had done to George. Because of Elizabeth’s devotion, Benteen and fellow officer, Marcus Reno, never had a moment peace. She was relentless. Elizabeth Custer believed that injustice never rules forever. I feel the same way. You stand and stick by what you know is right and that’s just what I’m going to do with my brother. Even after he’s gone. Right will win out – and that’s a promise.