The life, times and violent death of one of America's most controversial generals.
American Military Commanders
This controversial general was the youngest man in history to earn that rank. George Armstrong Custer was a brave and fearless Indian fighter, but he made a fatal mistake on June 25, 1876.
Early Years
George Armstrong Custer was born on December 5, 1839 in Monroe Michigan. His two brothers, Thomas and Boston Custer, would die with him at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. George Armstrong Custer spent most of his youth living with his half-sister and brother-in-law. He graduated last in his class of 34 cadets at West Point in 1861. During the Civil War however, George Armstrong Custer did begin a very distinguished military record that would soar him to the rank of brigadier general at the age of 23.
Civil War Years
George Armstrong Custer started out as a second lieutenant in the 2nd US Cavalry and served the Union army well at Bull Run, the Peninsula Campaign of 1862 and the Battle of Chancellorsville. Shortly before the Battle of Gettysburg, General Meade promoted him. Known for bold and even reckless assaults, George Armstrong Custer was fearless in the face of battle. He was also one of the unsung heroes at Gettysburg, as his brigade lost 257 men, the highest loss suffered by any Union cavalry brigade. George Armstrong Custer was present at the Appomattox Court House, and the table upon which the surrender was signed was given to him as a gift for his brave service to the Union cause.
Indian Wars
George Armstrong Custer distinguished himself at the Battle of the Washita River in 1868 against the Cheyenne Indians. In 1873, he and the Seventh Cavalry clashed with the Sioux Indians near the Tongue River. In 1874, he smoked a peace pipe with the Lakota Sioux and swore he would not fight again. According to legend, he who swears by the pipe and breaks an oath comes to destruction, which he did not even two years later.
Battle of the Little Bighorn
On June 25, 1876, George Armstrong Custer and more than two hundred soldiers rode into the valley of the shadow of death. He recklessly advanced his troops knowing he was out-numbered. George Armstrong Custer was daring as always, choosing not to wait for reinforcements and marching instead into a fray from which no one would ever return.
George Armstrong Custer left a widow, Elizabeth Bacon Custer, who outlived him by more than 50 years. She never remarried.
See other American History Articles
