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George Armstrong Custer remains one of the most controversial figures in American history. Known for his bravery during the Civil War, General Custer helped the Union win the conflict. But his involvement in the American Indian Wars left a lot to be desired.
Praised as a brave fallen hero by some, and accused of being a reckless murderer by others, the truth about Custer probably lays somewhere in the middle. In this gallery, you'll get to know more about this controversial man and his role in shaping America. Click on.
George Armstrong Custer was born on December 5, 1839, in New Rumley, a small village in Ohio.
In 1857, Custer became a cadet at West Point Military Academy but was far from being an exemplary student. Custer graduated in 1861 and was last in his class.
Despite his poor academic record, the Civil War broke out, and officers were needed. Custer’s first real experience was at the First Battle of Bull Run, where he demonstrated great courage.
Custer (left) showed his courage during the Peninsula Campaign by taking a very dangerous mission: to deliver information to General McClellan under enemy fire. His bravery got him promoted. At just 22 years old, Custer became a captain.
In 1863, aged 23, Captain Custer was promoted to Brigadier General. The promotion made him one of the youngest generals in the Union Army.
The Battle of Gettysburg took place in the first days of July, 1863. General Custer famously shouted “Come on, you Wolverines!” while leading the cavalry charge against the Confederate army.
Custer (far right) gained a reputation for his bravery and ruthless attacks on the enemy. especially after General Philip Sheridan’s (far left) Shenandoah Valley Campaign in 1864. Custer became one of the most feared cavalry officers of the Union Army.
On February 9, 1864, Custer married Elizabeth “Libbie” Bacon, a woman with political influence at the time.
Custer’s men played an important role in the surrender of Robert E. Lee’s Army in the Battle of Appomattox Station in 1865, which dictated the end of the Civil War. Major General George Armstrong Custer gained his place in history books.
With the end of the war and an inflated ego, Custer couldn’t really find his place in society. His rebellious nature and big ego meant that he was not one to take orders from others. Custer needed a new challenge, and he found one in the West.
Custer travelled West to fight the Native American resistance. But the Indian Wars were nothing like he had experienced before.
In 1867, Custer's disregard for rules resulted in a court-martial. He left his troops to visit his wife, and as a result, he was suspended from duty. While Custer’s reputation was briefly shaken, he used influential allies to get reinstated.
On November 27, 1868, Custer launched a surprise attack on a Cheyenne village along the Washita River, killing hundreds of people. He claimed victory, but the slaughter of men, women, and children was seen as a massacre by many.
Custer was ultimately responsible for the Black Hills Gold Rush in 1874. He led an expedition from Fort Abraham Lincoln in the Dakota Territory into the Black Hills, a sacred Sioux land.
The massive gold rush intensified hostilities and the Native resistance fought back. Custer underestimated the Sioux and Cheyenne, and this led him to one of the worst military defeats in American history.
Custer's troops advanced quickly, disregarding orders to wait for General Terry. But instead of catching the enemy off guard, Custer led his men into a trap. Pictured are the cavalry units before the battle.
Custer found a large group of men ready to fight. The Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors, led by Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull (pictured) were ready for battle.
Thousands of Native warriors attacked Custer's men, who were largely outnumbered. The 7th Cavalry was decimated, including Custer himself, who fought to the death on Last Stand Hill.
Custer’s death was received as a shock, but cemented his reputation as a war hero. This was not good news for the Native resistance, and retaliation was on its way. Pictured is the funeral of General Custer at West Point, New York.
The US government viciously pursued revenge against the Natives. The Sioux and Cheyenne were relentlessly targeted.
By 1877, Crazy Horse had been killed and the Lakota resistance had collapsed.
Custer's widow, Libbie, played a big role in portraying her late husband as a hero in the late 1800s. From books to paintings and lectures, Custer became a legendary figure, but was he really a fallen hero?
Over time, historians debunked the myths about Custer, uncovering him as an overly confident commander whose ambition caused a great deal of disaster. His strategic mistakes became a lesson in leadership failure, changing the public perspective on what really happened at the Battle of Little Bighorn.
Custer’s image became a key part of American folklore. From dime novels to Wild West shows, Custer was portrayed as a hero.
Hollywood movies such as ‘They Died with Their Boots On’ (1941), further cemented his place as a legendary figure in popular culture.
The romanticized narrative surrounding Custer’s life was again brought up in the mid ‘90s and scholars made sure to deconstruct it. Custer’s egotism, poor decision-making, and tactical miscalculations were again brought to light.
The battle shaped US policy toward Native Americans. It signaled the end of major Native resistance on the Great Plains, pushing them onto reservations.
Custer remains one of history's most controversial figures. His legacy reflects America's complex history and his story still fuels debates about heroism, failure, and the price of ambition.
Sources: (History Collection) (History)
Hero or villain: who was General Custer?
Was Custer a brave officer or a reckless murderer?
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George Armstrong Custer remains one of the most controversial figures in American history. Known for his bravery during the Civil War, General Custer helped the Union win the conflict. But his involvement in the American Indian Wars left a lot to be desired.
Praised as a brave fallen hero by some, and accused of being a reckless murderer by others, the truth about Custer probably lies somewhere in the middle.
In this gallery, you'll get to know more about this controversial man and his role in shaping America. Click on.