at Southampton, Cushman, at the solicitation of the adventurers, altered the agreement on his own responsibility, abandoning the two days a week for their private affairs that had been reserved to the colonists in the original contract. Robert Cush- man, who was given the office of assistant govern- or, embarked with his family on the " Speedwell " on 5 Aug., 1620, when the two vessels began the voyage together ; but when the " Mayflower " sailed again alone on 6 Sept., with only a part of the com- pany, he remained behind to act as their financial agent in England and send them supplies, in 1021 he published a pamphlet on " Emigration to Ameri- ca," urging the advantages of that country for settlement, and in July he sailed for New England in the " Fortune," taking with him his only son, Thomas, and arriving 21 Nov. He returned to Europe to manage the business of the colonists there, but left his son in the family of Gov. Brad- ford. Before his departure he preached on the " Sin and Danger of Self-Love," 9 Dec, 1621, noted as the first discourse delivered in New England that was published (London, 1622). It was re- printed in Boston in 1724, in 1780, and, with a bio- graphical sketch by Judge John Davis, in 1785 (Plymouth). It is also contained in the " Cushman Genealogy," and was photo-lithographed from one of the three existing examples in 1870. On 13 Dec, 1621, he sailed for England, and continued as agent for the colonists in London. On the voyage he was captured and plundered by the French, and taken to France, but released after two weeks' de- tention. On his arrival in England he published an eloquent vindication of the colonial enterprise, and an appeal for Christian missions to the North American Indians. In 1623, with Edward Wins- low, he obtained from Lord Sheflfield a grant of territory on Cape Ann, where a new band of Puri- tans made the first permanent settlement with- in the limits of the Massachusetts bay colony. — His son, Thomas, b. in England in 1608; d. in Plymouth, Mass., 11 Dec, 1692. He married Mary, third daughter of Isaac Allerton, about 1635. lie was always the confidential friend of Gov. Brad- ford, and became ruling elder of the church on the death of Brewster in 1649. His wife survived him, and was the last of the " Mayfiower " passengers, dying in 1699 at the age of ninety years. A large granite monument to the memory of the first Cush- mans was erected at Plymouth, Mass., by their de- scendants in 1858.
CUSICK, Nicholas, Indian chief, b. in Oneida,
N. Y., in 1756 ; d. in Tuscarora village, near Niagara,
N. Y., 29 Oct., 1840. His Indian name was " Kayh-
natho." In the war of the Revolution he served on
the American side five years, and at one time saved
the life of Gen. Lafayette. Cusick belonged to '
the Tuscarora tribe. — His nephew, David, pub-
lished a pamphlet with four illustrations, entitled
" Sketches of the Ancient History of the Six Na-
tions " (Lockport, N. Y., 1848).
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CUSTER, George Armstrong, soldier, b. in New Rumley, Harrison co., Ohio, 5 Dec., 1839; d. in Montana, 25 June, 1876. He was graduated at the U. S. military academy in June, 1861, and reported for duty at Washington. Gen. Winfield Scott gave him despatches to carry to Gen. Irwin McDowell, then in command of the Army of the Potomac, he was assigned to duty as lieutenant in the 5th cavalry, and participated, on the day of his arrival at the front, in the first battle of Bull Run. Gen. Philip Kearny selected him as his first aide-de-camp, and he afterward served on the staff of Gen. William F. Smith. While on this duty he was given charge of the balloon ascensions, to make reconnoissances. In May, 1862, Gen. George B. McClellan was so impressed with the energy and perseverance that he showed in wading the Chickahominy alone, to ascertain what would be a safe ford for the army to cross, and with his courage in reconnoitring the enemy's position while on the other side, that he was appointed aide-de-camp, with the rank of captain, to date from 15 June, 1862. Capt. Custer applied at once for permission to attack the picket-post he had just discovered, and at daylight the next morning surprised the enemy, drove them back, capturing some prisoners and the first colors that were taken by the Army of the Potomac. After Gen. McClellan's retirement from command of the army, Capt. Custer was discharged from his volunteer appointment and returned to his regiment as lieutenant. He had served there but a short time when Gen. Alfred Pleasonton, on 15 May, 1863, made him aide-de-camp on his staff. For daring gallantry in a skirmish at Aldie and in the action at Brandy Station, as well as in the closing operations of the Rappahannock campaign, he was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, dating from 29 June, 1863, and assigned to duty as commander of the Michigan brigade. At Gettysburg his brigade, together with those of Gregg and McIntosh, defeated Gen. Stuart's efforts to turn the left flank. For this action he was brevetted major in the U.S. army, to date from 3 July, 1863. At Culpepper Court-House he was wounded by a spent ball, which killed his horse. He took part in Gen. Sheridan's cavalry raid toward Richmond, in May, 1864, and was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for gallant and meritorious services in the battle of Yellow Tavern, 11 May. In Gen. Sheridan's second raid on Richmond the Michigan brigade made a most gallant fight at Trevillion Station; but so great was their peril that the colors of the brigade were only saved from capture by Gen. Custer's tearing them from the standard, held in the grasp of a dying color-sergeant, and concealing the flag in his bosom. On 19 Sept., 1864, he was made brevet-colonel, U. S. army, for gallantry at the battle of Winchester, and on 19 Oct. he was brevetted major-general of volunteers for gallantry and meritorious services at Winchester and Fisher's Hill. On 30 Sept. he assumed command of the 3d division of cavalry, with which he fought the brilliant battle of Woodstock on 9 Oct., where he was confronted by his former classmate at West Point, the Confederate Gen. Rosser. He drove the enemy twenty-six miles, capturing everything they had on wheels except one gun. At Cedar Creek he confronted the enemy from the first attack in the morning until the battle ended. The 3d division recaptured, before the day was over, guns and colors that had been taken from
