2005 Custer and the 15th
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George Armstrong Custer General Custer, as commander of the 3rd Cavalry Division, was very familiar to the members of the 15th. The "Red Neck Ties" were adopted by the regiment to honor there commander.

As the story goes word got back to the young general that the Confederates failed to see the dash, and daring reputation that the General was creating in the press.  In fact, word was that the Confederates said they never saw the General in the field. Well, so that the rebels could not mistake him at the head of his command, the general fashioned a bright red neck tie to wear so that there would be no mistake about his presence on the field.

His Michigan troops, seeing this new fashion on the General's uniform, quickly adopted the same tie, so as the General would not be the target of a rebel marksman. To further honor the General, the 15th also adopted this, and became it's proud trademark.

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Custer by Brady custerseated.jpg (190424 bytes)

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    Custer letter to his Division 

 

 

 

custerredtie.gif (73684 bytes) Photograph of the Custer "Red Neck Tie"
Submitted by Joseph A. Jordan

 

 

 

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Custer Web Links

History of the 7th Cavalry Home Page  

The George A. Custer Homepage  

The Court Martial of George Armstrong Custer

The lyrics to Garry Owen: Submitted by Jerry McGaha :

[Verse 1]

Let Bacchus's sons be not dismayed,

but join with me each jovial blade,

come booze and sing and lend your aid,

to help me with the chorus:

"Chorus"

Instead of spa we'll drink down ale

and pay the reckoning on the nail,

for debt no man shall go to jail

from Garryowen in glory

[Verse 2]

We are the boys who take delight

in smashing Limerick lamps at night,

and through the street like sportsters

fight,

tearing all before us (Chorus)

[Verse 3]

We'll break windows, we'll break doors,

the watch knock down by threes and fours,

then let the doctors work their cures,

and tinker up our bruises (Chorus)

[Verse 4]

We'll beat the bailiffs out of fun,

we'll make the mayor and sheriffs run,

we are the boys no man dare dun,

if he regards a whole skin (Chorus)

[Verse 5]

Our hearts so stout have got us fame,

for soon 'tis known from whence we came,

where're we go they dread the name,

of Garryowen in glory (Chorus)

 

 

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Last modified: April 05, 2005