Libby Custer did not write this very entertaining and informative volume. Reynolds a stage actress, was preparing herself for the role of Custer in a play. During her research, she discovered Custer's notes for this book that she did not write. Reynolds decided to take the notes and letters and finish the book.
This volume covers the period when George Custer pursed her and married her to the end of the Civil War. What we have is a picture of 1864 to 1865 of the War through the biased eyes of Mrs. Custer. Apparently, she spent a great deal of time near the front lines living in a tent or commandeered housing with her husband. Only when it was deemed too dangerous was she sent back to Washington to stay in various boarding houses. Her descriptions of Washington at war are very informative. After watching Gone With the Wind last night with my granddaughters and their disbelief at the dresses the women wore, it was interesting to read Libby Custer's disbelief at having to wear them. She points out going through doorways could present a problem for the huge hoops that held the dresses out from their bodies could become jammed if the door was narrow. She lived until 1933 so she could comment on the changes in woman's dress
She was very much in love with her husband and is very laudatory of her husbands exploits and leadership during the War. She is also very complimentary of the Southern women with whom she was sometimes billeted. This was a very bizarre war with friends capturing friends as General Custer did more than once. There is a picture in the book of Custer sitting with a friend from his West Point days who is his prisoner but still his friend. ( )