Custer, and Other Poems

In Short

This volume is a expansive synthesis of narrative poetry and moral philosophy. At its center stands a sprawling, romanticized account of George Armstrong Custer’s life and final stand, framed by an extended meditation on the responsibilities of the individual. By contrasting the epic violence of war with the intimate, often solitary struggles of the heart, the work argues that true heroism is found not in conquest, but in the internal discipline of the spirit. It remains a testament to the author’s enduring role as a popular voice for nineteenth-century idealism.

The Story

The collection begins with a series of lyrical reflections on the nature of existence, asserting that the "undiscovered country" is not a physical territory, but the landscape of the soul. From this philosophical foundation, the book pivots to its centerpiece: a multi-part epic detailing the military career and ultimate demise of Custer.

The narrative introduces Custer as a figure of dualities—a man of martial prowess who nonetheless harbors a deep, tender love for his wife, Elizabeth. The early chapters of this epic recount his triumphs against hostile forces on the plains, framing his battles as a grim necessity brought on by historical cycles of violence. The author does not shy away from the brutality of this era, nor from the complex grievances of the indigenous people, acknowledging that the white man’s intrusion sowed the seeds of the very conflicts that later erupted. Yet, the focus remains firmly on the "noble" struggle of the soldiers.

As the narrative progresses, the tone shifts from the pageantry of victory to the encroaching shadows of tragedy. The poet describes the rise of Sitting Bull and the "messianic" fervor of the ghost dance, which stirs the tribes into a state of war. The poem moves toward the inevitability of the Last Stand, portraying the final battle not as a mere military failure, but as a mythic sacrifice.

The climax arrives when Custer and his men are surrounded by a vastly superior force. Faced with the choice between a desperate flight to safety and a doomed stand, Custer chooses the latter. He whispers the names of "God and Elizabeth" and turns to meet his fate. The story concludes with the aftermath, as his fellow soldiers find his body left strangely unmutilated by his enemies. The final verses mourn the loss of the commander while simultaneously elevating him to the status of a martyr. The book closes by reconciling this defeat with its opening philosophy: true victory is not defined by the achievement of a goal, but by the integrity maintained in the face of certain destruction.

How It Unfolds

The call to action The opening poems establish the author’s worldview, emphasizing that life is brief and must be filled with purposeful labor rather than aimless dreaming. She posits that the world's greatest need is simply the practice of kindness.

The epic begins The narrative shifts to the frontier, where the poet provides a historical preface to the wars that defined Custer’s career. She positions the conflict as a tragic inheritance, where the mistakes of the past mandate the bloodshed of the present.

The clash of cultures The poem depicts the escalating tensions between the U.S. Army and the tribal forces, highlighting the roles of both the soldiers and the women who accompanied them. The rhythm of the verse quickens to mirror the mounting chaos of the plains.

The tragic turn The story enters its final phase with the rise of a new, militant resistance, drawing the military into an inescapable trap. The poet contrasts the "motion-music" of the marching army with the impending silence of the grave.

The final stand The narrative reaches its peak at the Little Bighorn, where the outnumbered soldiers confront their inevitable end. The author frames this moment as a divine test, where the leader’s character is fully unmasked in his refusal to retreat.

The resolution The concluding verses offer a quiet space for grief, reassessing the entire ordeal. The poet argues that even in total defeat, the act of standing one's ground constitutes a profound, if silent, victory.

The People

George Armstrong Custer serves as the collection’s archetypal hero—a figure whose identity is defined by a tension between his public role as a "blonde god of old" and his private, tender devotion to his wife. His struggle is to balance his martial duty with his moral conscience. Elizabeth, his wife, appears as his spiritual anchor, the person whose image sustains him through the hardships of the trail.

Mahwissa represents the indigenous perspective, acting as both a victim of the conflict and a voice of cultural critique. She challenges Custer’s monogamous values, offering a stark reminder of the differences between the two clashing worlds. Sitting Bull emerges as a formidable, almost supernatural antagonist, using "dramatic arts" and the religious fervor of the ghost dance to mobilize his people against the encroachment of the white soldiers. Finally, the "Muse" acts as the narrator, an observant and often sorrowful voice that guides the reader through the ethical complexities of the frontier, constantly reminding us that the dead demand the living learn lessons from their sacrifice.

In Its Own Voice

"Let such teach others, who themselves excel, / And censure freely who have written well."

The author begins the preface by invoking the authority of Alexander Pope to establish the serious, moral tone of the work.

"The oval earth lies compassed with steel bands; / The seas are slaves to ships that touch all strands."

In describing the reach of modern progress, she contrasts the physical conquest of the planet with the internal void that still remains to be explored.

"Love thyself last. Look near, behold thy duty / To those who walk beside thee down life's road."

This recurring refrain acts as the collection’s moral compass, urging the reader to prioritize the needs of others over their own self-interest.

What It's Really About

The central theme is the reconciliation of individual will with the overwhelming force of circumstance. The author explores the paradox of "successful failure," arguing that the value of an action lies in the quality of the soul that performs it rather than the outcome it produces. She questions whether the chaos of human history—wars, creeds, and empires—can ever truly satisfy the human heart, ultimately suggesting that the only enduring solution is the cultivation of internal peace and the rejection of the ego. By linking the fate of a frontier general to the daily life of a "tidy kitchen," the book argues that moral excellence is a universal requirement, regardless of whether one is leading an army or simply living a quiet, everyday life.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the rhythmic, moralizing cadence of nineteenth-century verse will find much to admire in this collection. It is a work that feels like a conversation with an older, determined guide—one who is not afraid to lecture the reader on their "duty" or the necessity of maintaining a "high conceit" in one’s own purpose. The poetry is direct, unpretentious, and deeply invested in the idea that thoughts are real, tangible things that shape the world.

However, the modern reader should be prepared for the book’s period attitudes. The author’s depiction of the American frontier reflects the racial hierarchies and colonial justifications common in the late 1890s. While she attempts to show empathy for the suffering of all involved, her framing of indigenous life as "savage" or "untutored" is a blunt artifact of her time that complicates the reading experience. Despite these difficulties, the book is worth reading for its remarkable sincerity. There is a bracing, old-fashioned vitality to the writing that assumes the reader is capable of greatness and in need of direction. It is a quintessential artifact of a bygone era’s optimism, leaving you with the sense that even in the most "bleak and sodden" winter, there is always the promise of a coming spring.