Following the Guidon (eBook)

Elizabeth Bacon Custer (April 8, 1842 – April 4, 1933) was an American author and the wife of General George Armstrong Custer, the renowned U.S. cavalry commander. She was born in Monroe, Michigan, and spent much of her early life in a setting that poised her for her later role as a chronicler of military life on the American frontier. Following her marriage to Custer in 1864, Elizabeth, often referred to as 'Libbie,' became deeply involved in her husband's career, accompanying him to various military postings. Her intimate knowledge of the rigors, challenges, and joys of military life lent authenticity to her writings. After the infamous Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, where General Custer and his troops met their demise, Elizabeth was left a widow. Turning to writing as a means of coping with her loss and preserving her husband's legacy, she penned several works. 'Following the Guidon' (1890) is among her most famous, providing an intimate glimpse into her life on the plains with the Seventh Cavalry. Elizabeth Custer's narrative style is personal and engaging, filled with vivid characterizations of army life. She sought to honor her late husband's memory and combat the negative press surrounding his last battle, shaping her narratives with a combination of romantic idealism and staunch loyalty. Her contributions to the literature of the American West offer valuable perspectives on this tumultuous period in American history.