★ ★ Custer, George A.

George Armstrong Custer
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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)

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Civil War Career:

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

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

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

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

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

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1862: Served in the Siege of Yorktown, Virginia​

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

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1862: Aide to Major General George B. McClellan​

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1863: Aide to Major General Alfred Pleasanton

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1863 – 1866: Brigadier General Union Army Volunteers Cavalry​

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1863: Cavalry Brigade Commander at Battle of Gettysburg​

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1863: Brevetted Major for Gallantry at Battle of Gettysburg​

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

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1864: Cavalry Brigade Commander in Richmond Campaign​

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

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

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

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1864: Brevetted Major General for Gallantry at Winchester

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

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1865: Brevetted Major General for Gallantry ending the War​

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1865: Cavalry Division Commander in the Union Army​

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

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1865: Commander of Cavalry, Division Southwest Military Division​

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1865: Cavalry Commander Military Division of the Gulf​

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

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

Occupation after War:

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

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

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

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

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1868: Served in the Action at Washita​

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1869 – 1870: Leave of Absence from the Army​

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1871: Served at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas​

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1872: Garrison Duty at Louisville, Kentucky​

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1873: Garrison Duty at Elizabethtown, Kentucky​

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1873: Served on the Yellowstone Expedition​

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1874: Served on Black Hills Expedition

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1876: Went before United States House of Representatives Committee​

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1876: Served on the Sioux Expedition​

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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.

 

[elmira64]

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.

Thomas Custer was awarded 2 Medals of Honor. 3 Apr1865 he captured colors at Namozine Church. 6 Apr 1865 he again captured colors and was wounded at Sailor's Creek. He was the first person to be awarded 2 Medals of Honor.

 

[dgfred]

I do wonder sometimes when one person is claimed to have taken the colors. Maybe one of his men? Or a group of them? Why would he be in position as an officer in the very front of the line?

 

[Cavalier]

@dgfred Regarding Tom Custer's taking the enemy colors, if his outfit is involved in any kind of melee, hand to hand combat situation, it makes sense how the opportunity could occur. Wade Hampton was sliced in the head by a saber, had to be pretty close combat for that to happen I would imagine, and he was a brigade commander.

John

 

[elmira64]

I do wonder sometimes when one person is claimed to have taken the colors. Maybe one of his men? Or a group of them? Why would he be in position as an officer in the very front of the line?

At Namozine Church Tom was reported to have taken the colors from the color bearer, in addition he took several prisoners. At Sailor's Creek, Col. Capehart witnessed Tom shot in the face as he made for the colors. It appears he shot the color bearer as he took the colors. During the war, George's bravery and leading from the front appears to be well documented. It seems Tom was at least equal to his brother in that respect. Tom enlisted in an infantry regiment at age 16, like his older brother a born soldier.

 

[Cavalier]

I believe George was once supposed to have remarked that Tom was the one who should have been a general.

John