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CUTLER

CALEB  GUSHING

served In the Mexican War, and was raised to the rank of brigadier-general. In 1852 lie was appointed associate-justice of the supreme court of Massachusetts, and in the following year became United States attorney-general. In 1871-72 he acted as counsel at the tribunal of arbitration in Geneva ; and from 1874 to 1877 was United States minister to Spain. Mr. Gushing published a number of works; but his chief publication was an account of The Treaty of Washington (1873).

Gushing, William Barker, American naval officer, whose distinguished service was the destruction of the Confederate iron-clad Albemarle, was born in Wisconsin in 1842; and died at Washington, D. C., Dec. 17, 1874. He entered the Naval Academy in 1857, and in 1861, before graduating, he joined the United States navy and served throughout the Civil War. His most noted act occurred Oct. 27, 1864, at Plymouth, N. C., when, with a volunteer crew on a steam-launch and amid the hot fire of Confederate guns, he approached the Confederate ram, Albemarle, and fired a torpedo under her, which destroyed the iron-clad, along with his own launch. Cushing and some of his men swam ashore and escaped. For his gallantry the young hero was officially thanked by Congress, and in 1872 was advanced to the rank of commander. He died at the national capital two years later.

Cush'man, Charlotte Saunders, an American actress, was born at Boston in 1816. Her father became bankrupt and she helped to sup-p o r t the family when only 12 years old. She sang in concerts and made her first appearance in opera at Boston, in 1835, but soon after that lost her fine contralto voice. Not discouraged, by any means, she at once fitted herself to become an

actress. Her appearance in New York as Lady Macbeth was a success. She afterward acted with Macready, and also gained fame in England. Miss Cushman died at Boston, Feb. 8, 1876.

GENERAL  CUSTER

Cus'ter, George Armstrong, an American general, was born at New Rumley, O., Dec. 5, 1839. He graduated at West Point in 1861, and 1 as second lieu-\j tenant of United States cavalry* made his first charge at Manas-sas, driving a Confederate force across Muddy • Creek. As assistant-engineer a V Yorktown, h< planned the earth- ' works nearest the enemy's lines. He was the first to cross the river at Chicka-hominy, and while brigadier-general of cavalry routed Hampton's cavalry at Gettysburg, where he had two horses shot under him. In 1864 his brigade led the column in Sheridan's raid toward Richmond. He was brevetted major-general of volunteers for gallantry at the battle of Cedar Creek, and was in command of a division at the surrender of Appomattox. His rash but memorable campaign against the Sioux was undertaken early in 1876. With 1,100 men, including guides and scouts, he followed an Indian trail to Little Big-Horn River. Here he found a large encampment. Dividing his command, he tried to ford the stream three miles farther down. This brought on a battle in which Custer and his detachment of 277 troopers were surrounded by 3,000 warriors and slain to a man, June 25, 1876.

Cu'ticle (in plants). In many plants, especially in leaves, the outer part of the walls of the epidermis becomes transformed into an impervious structure called cuticle. As new wall-material is continuously laid down, the cuticle gradually thickens and may become a very thick layer outside of the epidermis. It is a structure which protects well against drought, cold, etc., and is especially noticeable in plants of dry regions. The same substance is also developed on the surfaces of spores as a protection.

Cut'ler, Manasseh, an American botanist and Congregational minister, was born at Killingly, Conn., May 3, 1742. After graduating at Yale in 1765, he took degrees in the three professions of theology, law and medicine. He then became regimental and brigade chaplain in the Revolutionary War. He was an enthusiastic botanist, and his description of the native flowers of New England was the first botanical description made in the country. In wide scientific and other learning Dr. Cutler was the foremost man in America after Franklin* He is best known for his con-

CHARLOTTE CUSHMAN