★ ★ Custer, George A.

George Armstrong Custer
​

Born: December 5, 1839

Birthplace: New Rumley, Ohio

Father: Emanuel Henry Custer 1806 – 1892

(Buried: Woodland Cemetery, Monroe, Michigan)​

Mother: Marie Ward 1807 – 1882

(Buried: Woodland Cemetery, Monroe, Michigan)​

Wife: Elizabeth "Libby" Bacon 1842 – 1933

(Buried: U.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point, New York)​

Marriage: February 9, 1864 in Monroe, Michigan

Children: None

Signature:

Education:

June 1861: Graduated from West Point Military Academy – (34th​ last)

​

Civil War Career:

1861 – 1862: 2nd​ Lt. United States Army, 2nd​ Cavalry Regiment​

​

1861: Drilled Volunteers in Washington, D.C.​

​

1861: Served in the First Battle of Bull Run, Virginia​

​

1861: Served in the Defenses of Washington, D.C.​

​

1862 – 1864: 1st​ Lt. United States Army, 5th​ Cavalry Regiment​

​

1862: Served in the Siege of Yorktown, Virginia​

​

1862 – 1863: Captain and Aide – de – camp in Union Army​

​

1862: Aide to Major General George B. McClellan​

​

1863: Aide to Major General Alfred Pleasanton

​

1863 – 1866: Brigadier General Union Army Volunteers Cavalry​

​

1863: Cavalry Brigade Commander at Battle of Gettysburg​

​

1863: Brevetted Major for Gallantry at Battle of Gettysburg​

​

​

1863 – 1864: Served with the Cavalry in Central Virginia​

​

1864: Cavalry Brigade Commander in Richmond Campaign​

​

1864 – 1866: Captain United States Army, 5th​ Cavalry Regiment​

​

1864: Brevetted Lt. Colonel for Gallantry Battle of Yellow Tavern​

​

1864: Brevetted Colonel for Gallantry Battle of Winchester, Virginia​

​

1864: Brevetted Major General for Gallantry at Winchester

​

1865: Brevetted Brig. General for Gallantry, Battle of Five Forks, VA.​

​

1865: Brevetted Major General for Gallantry ending the War​

​

1865: Cavalry Division Commander in the Union Army​

​

1865 – 1866: Major General of Union Army Volunteer, Cavalry​

​

1865: Commander of Cavalry, Division Southwest Military Division​

​

1865: Cavalry Commander Military Division of the Gulf​

​

1865 – 1866: Chief of Cavalry, Department of Texas​

​

1866: Mustered out of Volunteer Service on February 1st​​

Occupation after War:

1864 – 1866: Captain United States Army, 5th​ Cavalry Regiment

​

1866 – 1876: Lt. Colonel United States Army, 7th​ Cavalry Regiment​

​

1866 – 1867: Frontier Duty at Fort Riley, Kansas​

​

1868: Suspended from the Army August 12th​ – October 7th​​

​

1868: Served in the Action at Washita​

​

1869 – 1870: Leave of Absence from the Army​

​

1871: Served at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas​

​

1872: Garrison Duty at Louisville, Kentucky​

​

1873: Garrison Duty at Elizabethtown, Kentucky​

​

1873: Served on the Yellowstone Expedition​

​

1874: Served on Black Hills Expedition

​

1876: Went before United States House of Representatives Committee​

​

1876: Served on the Sioux Expedition​

​

1876: Killed at the Battle of Little Big Horn River, Montana​

Died: June 25, 1876

Place of Death: Little Big Horn, Montana

Age at time of Death: 37 years old

Original Burial Place: Little Big Horn Battlefield National Monument, Montana

Current Burial Place: On October 10, 1877 the remains of Bvt. Maj. Gen. George Armstrong Custer were buried with full military honors in the cemetery near the Old Cadet Chapel at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York. A large granite monument marks the grave.

 

[wausaubob]

He seriously under estimated the plains alliance. And he did not take into account that the Indian agents he was blasting were interested in their clients winning. He had a lot of early successes against indigenous encampments, but the Indians were learning quickly.

 

[rpkennedy]

He seriously under estimated the plains alliance. And he did not take into account that the Indian agents he was blasting were interested in their clients winning. He had a lot of early successes against indigenous encampments, but the Indians were learning quickly.

That was a lot of it. The Cheyenne and Lakota changed their tactics and didn't act like they traditionally had in the past. Instead of keeping the cavalry at bay while the civilians escaped, they got aggressive and took the fight to the cavalry after the initial surprise.

Ryan

 

[Pollaco]

He was very compent as a brigade or divisional commander, He was probably "tops" in his field on the battlefields (except Little Bighorn). But he like all of humans had limitations and shortcommings.

 

[Pollaco]

That was a lot of it. The Cheyenne and Lakota changed their tactics and didn't act like they traditionally had in the past. Instead of keeping the cavalry at bay while the civilians escaped, they got aggressive and took the fight to the cavalry after the initial surprise.

Ryan

Yeah, they used repeating Rifles. That was a change of tactics .

 

[Grant's Tomb]

My birthday is the same day as his. Also our 8th President Martin Van Buren was born on December 5th

 

[Pollaco]

My birthday is the same day as his. Also our 8th President Martin Van Buren was born on December 5th

Yeah, me too. Walt Disney and Little Richard as well, I think.

 

[uaskme]

He seriously under estimated the plains alliance. And he did not take into account that the Indian agents he was blasting were interested in their clients winning. He had a lot of early successes against indigenous encampments, but the Indians were learning quickly.

Indian Agents, the Country's first failed Social Program.

Yellow Hair died for a Nobel Cause. Trying to save Grant's Failed Presidency. Thars Gold In Them Hills!

 

[nc native]

Never been a fan … - Libby made him more famous than he ever was … And the Nation followed . He wanted a MOH like his brother, that's just me talking though.

They were being given right and left as the Southern troops were being overwhelmed

While the Medal of Honor was being given out a little too liberally at the end of the Civil War in some cases, General Custer's brother Tom earned his the hard way being shot in the jaw with a pistol at Salior's Creek while attempting to capture a battle flag. Tom ended up capturing the flag which belonged to a Virginia infantry regiment.

Custer happened to have a Great Grandfather who was killed by Indians in the Shenandoah Valley by Indians around the time of the American Revolution. His ancestor's name also happened to be George Custer. His family is of German descent having arrived in Philadelphia about 1690. The Custer surname was changed from Kuster after their arrival to America.

 

[bayouace]

At The Washita almost all the warriors were away hunting, and only engaged Major Elliott's pursuit force, killing them all. Custer withdrew as the warriors were returning and never searched for Elliott and his men. At The Little Big Horn the warriors were home, and basically the same plan used at The Washita did not work at The Little Big Horn. If The Little Big Horn was a massacre, so was The Washita. My 2 cents.

 

[FZ11]

That was a lot of it. The Cheyenne and Lakota changed their tactics and didn't act like they traditionally had in the past. Instead of keeping the cavalry at bay while the civilians escaped, they got aggressive and took the fight to the cavalry after the initial surprise.

Ryan

Don't agree the Indians "changed their tactics". The Indians were so surprised by Custer's attack, that they did not have time to get their families to safety. So they fought on familiar ground, with fresher horses, outnumbered Custer, and won.

 

[wausaubob]

Don't agree the Indians "changed their tactics". The Indians were so surprised by Custer's attack, that they did not have time to get their families to safety. So they fought on familiar ground, with fresher horses, outnumbered Custer, and won.

It was a pretty big encampment. And they had led Custer a long distance away from Terry and where Custer was supposed to be.
He may have surprised the Indian Camp on that day, but they weren't surprised that he was nearby.

 

[wausaubob]

The Indians should have captured Custer and some of the cavalry. But that was not their instinctive response to gaining the upper hand.

 

[FZ11]

It was a pretty big encampment. And they had led Custer a long distance away from Terry and where Custer was supposed to be.
He may have surprised the Indian Camp on that day, but they weren't surprised that he was nearby.

Don't think the Indians "led" Custer anywhere; Custer charged himself into the Indians, then he was cut off from retreating, and, at some point, started running out of accessible ammo and his rate of fire decreased inviting "The Last Stand". Actually, Custer was charging toward Terry, but Custer was too quick and Terry too slow.

 

[dgfred]

That was the biggest mistake... not waiting.

 

[bayouace]

Reno charged his end of the camp, was promptly repulsed, and it soon became every man for himself. Enough of his troops gathered on a hill overlooking the river to mount a defense. The only thing that saved them was the Indian's attention to Custer and Benteen finally arriving to join Reno, as Custer was finished and the Indians began breaking camp. Terry and Gibbon were to form a blocking movement to the North and were not there. Crook was already stopped at the Battle of the Rosebud.

 

[Cavalier]

I think Napoleon once said "The victorious General is the one who makes the least mistakes", or something kinda similar. It just wasn't Custer's day, in my opinion anyway.

John

 

[FZ11]

That was the biggest mistake... not waiting.

Custer had planned to attack the 26th but Indians were found on his back trail and he believed these Indians would alert the Camp so he attacked a day earlier than anticipated. Terry was approaching on the 26th but was still not in position to help.

 

[FZ11]

Reno charged his end of the camp, was promptly repulsed, and it soon became every man for himself. Enough of his troops gathered on a hill overlooking the river to mount a defense. The only thing that saved them was the Indian's attention to Custer and Benteen finally arriving to join Reno, as Custer was finished and the Indians began breaking camp. Terry and Gibbon were to form a blocking movement to the North and were not there. Crook was already stopped at the Battle of the Rosebud.

Benteen arrives as Reno etal are ascending Reno Hill. Custer is still fighting while Reno and Benteen try to decide whether to go to Custer's aid. Reno/Benteen have a strong defensive position and the Indians do not wish to incur the casualties necessary to overrun them. Terry is approaching and the Indians decide to move South to avoid Terry.

 

[Bama Mike]

Custer is well liked here in Michigan, he is views by many as an American hero.

Not by me. I went to Little Bighorn and did a happy dance when I found his grave. He was a Swuaw Killer.

 

[damYankee]

Benteen arrives as Reno etal are ascending Reno Hill. Custer is still fighting while Reno and Benteen try to decide whether to go to Custer's aid. Reno/Benteen have a strong defensive position and the Indians do not wish to incur the casualties necessary to overrun them. Terry is approaching and the Indians decide to move South to avoid Terry.

Benteen found Reno drunk, hiding under a wagon, Benteen`s orders were to bring the wagons (I'm guessing ammo?) And join him, Reno according to eye witness accounts ordered Benteen to stay with Reno`s command, at one point Reno ordered Benteen to abandon the wounded and retreat. Benteen would not follow that order.
The entire mission was a cluster, enough blame to go around, but as we all know, dead commanders seldom get to testify or submit after action reports, but the surviving commanding officers and those who wanted to keep their commissions do.
They had a ready made scapegoat and national hero all wrapped up in one mutilated corps, and a icon to rally the troops around to avenge.