GENERAL GEORGE CUSTER--
Born New Rumley, Ohio, December 1839


One synopsis of the general's history reads thusly:

"George Custer was born on December 5, 1839 in new Rumley, Ohio.  He served in the Civil War with General George B. McClellan.  He became a brigadier general, and his pursuit of General Robert E. Lee helped to bring an end to the Civil War.  In September 1868 he joined the 7th Cavalry in Kansas.  On June 25, 1876, he led 210 men into battle at Little Bighorn against Lakota and Cheyenne warriors.  Custer and all of his men were killed in the battle."

We rolled into the general's hometown one recent afternoon during a geocaching outing.  New Rumley is located between Scio and Germano in very sparsely populated, northern Harrison County.  It's one of those rural towns so small the village limit signs could be displayed on the same post.  Well, more or less.

We were pleasantly surprised to find a fairly elaborate memorial display in this tiny village especially given the manner of death, often described as humiliating, suffered by the decedent.

There was a larger-than life bronze statue of the general with multiple, nearby panels depicting significant events of his short, 37 year life.  The display was done with taste and dignity.

But, we were chagrined to see the weed-infested condition of this memorial.

While the general lost the last battle of his life, he served his country with distinction while the country was struggling to place a solid foundation under its newly born form of democracy.

Shame on you New Rumley.  The general deserves better!