GENERAL GEORGE A. CUSTER.



I rode out toward our battery, which had been in position all day
shelling the enemy. My attention was attracted to a large batch
of prisoners off to the left of our position, and, my curiosity being
somewhat excited, I rode out to the guard for the purpose of
inquiring whether there were any distinguished officers among the
captives. But a short distance from me, mounted on a thorough-
bred mare, I saw what I at once knew to be a rebel officer of dis-
tinguished rank. In a moment his eye caught mine, and he
beckoned me to come within the enclosure, as he desired to talk
with me. I did so, and the following conversation ensued
   "Are you not one of General Custer's staff ?"
   "I am, sir; a surgeon, however."
   "Sir, I desire to surrender my sword to General Custer. A
non-commissioned officer is continually demanding it, but I con-
sider that I have the right to request the privilege of surrender-
ing it to a commissioned officer."
   "Whom have I the honor of addressing ? " I asked.
   "My name," said he, "is Kershaw-General Kershaw, sir.'
   "General," I said, "I am glad to meet you. I assure youl,
sir, we always had great respect for you and your command when
vou confronted us in the valley."
a  "I look upon General Caster as one of the best cavalry officers
tthat this or any other country ever produced. I shall, indeed,
Consider it an honor to surrender my sword to him."  He contin-
ued, "Ever since the battle of Cedar Creek, when he and General
Sheridan embraced each other after the battle, I have had a most
perfect admiration for the man. I read a full account of it in
the NewYork Herald some days after the engagement. All
through to-day's battle I directed my men to concentrate their fire
upon his headquarters flag, knowing he was there always at the
front. While I should have deprecated the idea of killing a man
so brave, good and efficient, yet I knew it was my only hope."
    "General," I said, Cc yol merely succeeded in killing his best
 horse. Now, if you will accompany me outside the guard, I will
 take you over to Woodruff's Battery, and leave you in charge of
 its commanding officer, while I communicate your desires to Gen-
 eral Custer."
    In company with two or three other rebel generals of minor
 importance, he followed me. As General Custer was then mak-
 ing another charge, I awaited the result. It was the last and
 proved to be the grandest success of the day, as the balance of the
 enemy's command surrendered.



302