The Blue Whale and Other Travel Tales: Fort Abraham Lincoln, Libby and George (the Cavalry)--Part III

Reconstructed home of Libby and G. A. Custer
(Photo from Park website)

http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/falsp/falsp.html
All other pictures by "Molly" Marston
Some of the information taken from pamphlets and other information provided by the Park

Trivia Question: Name George Armstrong Custer's favorite food.

In 1873 Congress authorized the addition of a cavalry post and its construction was mostly completed the same year.

The Seventh United States Cavalry, had been scattered throughout the south and west, was ordered north to the renamed Ft McKeen, now known as Fort Abraham Lincoln. By 1874, nine companies (three companies of the 7th and 17th Infantries and six companies of the 7th Cavalry were housed at Fort Abraham Lincoln). This included about 650 men. These number made this fort one of the largest and most important on the Northern Plains. Their primary function was to protect the railroad workers against Indians.

His rank having been reduced after the Civil War from (Brevet) Major General, Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer was the first commander of the enlarged fort. He served here from 1873 until the Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876. He and his troops and wagons left from this fort heading toward their final doom at Little Big Horn.

His wife Libby (Elizabeth Bacon) moved with him as was her custom to follow him wherever he was stationed. She liked to entertain. And, she liked comfort.

Their first house burned to the ground. The government budgeted for a new house. Custer, being Custer made several "improvements" on the plans. The porch steps are fanned. Then, there are dormer windows. And several other additions. Of course, this put him way over budget. After years of non use, it was torn down. It has been reconstructed in accordance with original plans. While their house was being reconstructed after the fire, they moved in with Tom (George's brother and aide and recipient of two Medals of Honor). Tom was a bachelor. Two officers lived in each building, usually with their families. It is thought that George relocated the officer in the second half of the house and had the wall torn out to make living equivalent to his status.

The original fort had as many as 78 buildings. Many of the original buildings were dismantled by area settlers, and the materials used in the construction of area homes and farms. Therefore, many of the original buildings have had their corners outlined in brick to give a better understanding of the way the fort looked. Some enlisted quarters, granary, stables, and the commissary (which is currently a gift shop with a few snacks, including the house specialty coffee) have been reconstructed. The enlisted men's quarters have various uniform parts and leathers hanging. One is allowed to have hands on and the ability to try them on. Of course, we have worn so many of these clothes for so long, this did not do much for us; but many of the other visitors were having a grand ol' time of it. The rifles are locked. I think they were Sharp's repeaters (or possibility Winchesters).

His house servant was named Mary and her helpers--her two sisters Marie and Maria--had rooms on the second floor. Armstrong kept a bob cat on a chain in the basemen which frightened the help. Many items in the house are original to the Custers, including a favorite rocking chair of Libby's that was saved from the fire by a private (perhaps hoping for a promotion).

When we arrived two soldiers were stationed on the porch...a Corporal and a First Sergeant. The Corporal was the guide throughout the house tour.

We were the first on the porch for the particular tour that was soon to be conducted. The number one question re.enactors get asked is "Are you hot in those clothes?" I just could not resist. "Hey, Corporal, are you hot in those clothes?" He took the regular deep breath and sigh that we usually take when presented with this question. Then, he launched into the answer. I was giggling and had to fess up that we were re.enactors (he is actually a paid State employee...what a job!!!!!!!...getting paid to play act in a Civil War uniform).

The tour was done in first person as though we were going to be guests of the Custers for dinner. That means he spoke as though we were in the 1870's. We could not ask questions that would come later in George and Libby's life...only questions pertaining to the furnishings and the dinner.

Mary, his head housekeeper and cook, did not care for George's favorite food and did not serve it as often as he would have liked. She had her own room. Her sisters shared another one next to her.

The Custers bedroom. Wardrobe (a huge closet with some of her clothes). George's Office. Kitchen. Guest bedrooms. All furnished in period.

There were several young people with us. The guide used them as examples throughout. When we got to the wardrobe, he made the eleven year old boy cover his eyes so that he would not look at any of Libby's underpinnings. The guide was very good. I asked him his name and immediately forgot it as I did not write it down (Don't get old)!

Steve and I said we could have furnished part of the house as we have several Victorian era items. George was a hunter. There were lots of stuffed animals that he had "bagged" in his study.

Fort Abraham Lincoln was the headquarters of the 7th Cavalry until June of 1882, when the 7th Cavalry headquarters were transferred to Fort Meade in present-day South Dakota. Upon completion of the railroad to Montana, Fort Abraham Lincoln had fulfilled its primary purpose. Consequently, the fort gradually declined in importance and was finally abandoned in 1891.