The name George Armstrong Custer evokes a complex and often contradictory image in American history. A brilliant yet impulsive cavalry commander, Custer’s career spanned the defining conflicts of 19th-century America, from his rise as a dashing hero in the Civil War to his infamous demise at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. This article delves into the life and legacy of George Armstrong Custer, examining the achievements and controversies that shaped his enduring place in the nation’s narrative.
Born in New Rumley, Ohio, on December 5, 1839, George Armstrong Custer was affectionately known as “Autie” throughout his life, a nickname derived from a mispronunciation of his middle name. His early academic life was undistinguished, marked by frequent distractions. Despite this, he earned a teaching certificate in 1856 after attending a Normal School. Soon tiring of this profession, Custer set his sights on a military career, applying to the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point in 1857.
Early Life and Formative Years at West Point
Custer’s time at West Point was far from exemplary. He graduated in June 1861, ranking last in his class of 34 cadets. However, the outbreak of the American Civil War immediately thrust him into service, offering him opportunities for advancement that his academic record might not have suggested. Choosing the Cavalry branch, he was initially assigned staff duty with the Army of the Potomac, where his eagerness to volunteer and reliability quickly made him stand out.
Romance Amidst War: Custer and Libbie Bacon
In November 1862, Custer met Elizabeth “Libbie” Bacon, the daughter of Judge Daniel Bacon. Despite Judge Bacon’s initial disapproval of the young officer’s lower social standing, Custer’s persistent courtship eventually won Libbie’s affection, and the two began a heartfelt correspondence. As Custer’s military career rapidly advanced, so did the Judge’s acceptance. By February 1864, after Custer’s promotions elevated him to the rank of Brigadier General of Volunteers, commanding the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, the couple married in Monroe, Michigan. Their bond remained strong, with frequent letters and shared moments whenever Custer’s duties allowed.
The Dashing Civil War Hero
Custer distinguished himself tremendously during the Civil War. His promotions were swift, culminating in his command of an entire Cavalry Division with the rank of Major General by the war’s end in 1865. Unlike many generals who directed from the rear, Custer was renowned for leading his troops from the front, often being the first to engage the enemy. This audacious style, coupled with his ability to survive numerous close calls—reportedly having 11 horses shot from under him while sustaining only one minor wound—earned him the legendary moniker of “Custer Luck.” His gallantry and consistent victories against Confederate forces inspired immense loyalty among his men.
Upon the conclusion of the Civil War on April 9, 1865, the vast Volunteer Army was demobilized, and Custer reverted to his regular army rank as a Captain.
Transition to the Western Frontier: The 7th Cavalry
In 1866, with the creation of the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Riley, Kansas, Custer was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. While Colonel Andrew Smith and later Colonel Samuel Sturgis held the nominal command, their frequent detached service meant that Custer effectively commanded the Regiment until his death. This placed him at the forefront of the unfolding conflicts on the Western frontier, known as the Indian Wars.
Early Experiences and a Stain on His Record
Custer’s first significant experience in the West came in 1867 while serving under Major General Winfield Hancock. The campaign aimed to negotiate peace with the Southern Cheyenne and Kiowa tribes along the Arkansas River, though Hancock’s intent was clear: “to confer with them to ascertain if they want to fight, in which case Hancock will indulge them.” While actual combat was limited, Custer began to learn the complexities of frontier warfare.
However, this period also brought a significant setback. Custer was court-martialed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for abandoning his post to visit his wife, a charge of being AWOL. He also faced accusations of ordering deserters shot without trial and denying them medical attention. Found guilty of all charges, he was sentenced to a one-year suspension without pay. This disciplinary action tarnished his previously sterling reputation. Yet, at the personal request of Major General Philip H. Sheridan, who valued Custer’s aggressive leadership for an upcoming winter campaign, Custer was reinstated before his suspension expired in 1868.
The Battle of Washita: A Controversial Victory
Reinstated in 1868, Custer was tasked with commanding the 7th Cavalry in a winter campaign against Cheyenne forces. This culminated in the Battle of the Washita in Oklahoma on November 27, 1868. At dawn, Custer’s 7th Cavalry launched a surprise attack on an unsuspecting Southern Cheyenne village led by Chief Black Kettle. The battle, often described as a massacre, resulted in the deaths of warriors, women, and children, including Chief Black Kettle and his wife, despite claims that troops were instructed to spare non-combatants. The Washita remains a deeply contentious event in Custer’s military history.
Further Western Expeditions and the Allure of Gold
In 1873, the 7th Cavalry was called upon again to protect the Northern Pacific Railroad Survey along the Yellowstone River, an area contested by the Lakota Sioux and other tribes. This campaign marked the first significant contact between Custer and future adversaries such as Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and Chief Gall, as Lakota warriors frequently attacked survey sites.
The following summer, in 1874, Custer led a 1,200-person expedition into the Black Hills of South Dakota, lands guaranteed to the Lakota by treaty. With rumors of gold circulating during an economic depression, Custer’s expedition, which included professional miners, confirmed the presence of gold. This confirmation ignited a new gold rush, drawing a flood of prospectors into sacred Lakota lands and intensifying hostilities with Native American tribes.
Political Intrigue and the Road to Little Bighorn
By late 1875, a scandal involving high-ranking Washington officials erupted, centered on the sale of exclusive trading rights at military forts. Secretary of War William Belknap was implicated, and in March and April 1876, Custer testified before a congressional committee, detailing the graft and implicating President Ulysses S. Grant’s brother, Orville. This put Custer in a precarious position with President Grant, who was overseeing the final planning stages of a major offensive against the Lakota and Cheyenne.
Despite this political friction, Custer was eventually allowed to command the 7th Cavalry for the upcoming campaign. In the spring of 1876, the U.S. Army dispatched three massive columns to force the Lakota and Cheyenne onto the Great Sioux Reservation. Custer’s regiment was part of the largest column, commanded by General Alfred Terry, advancing from Fort Abraham Lincoln, North Dakota. On June 22, 1876, Custer’s 7th Cavalry was ordered ahead to act as the striking force against what was believed to be a large gathering of Lakota warriors.
Custer’s Last Stand: The Battle of the Little Bighorn
The original strategy envisioned a coordinated trap, with forces under Generals George Crook, John Gibbon, and Custer converging on the Native American encampment. However, Custer advanced far more rapidly than instructed. Unbeknownst to him, General Crook’s forces had already been repelled by Crazy Horse’s warriors at Rosebud Creek. On the morning of June 25, 1876, based on intelligence suggesting the Lakota and Cheyenne were preparing to flee, Custer ordered his 7th Cavalry to attack a massive encampment on the Little Bighorn River in Montana Territory.
By the end of that day, Custer and all 263 soldiers under his immediate command were dead, along with an estimated 80 Lakota and Cheyenne warriors. The news reached a shocked American public on July 4, 1876, as the nation celebrated its centennial. The loss of a famed Civil War hero at the hands of Native American forces devastated Americans and profoundly impacted the public’s perception of the Indian Wars.
A Lasting Legacy Shaped by Libbie
No one was more devastated by Custer’s death than his wife, Libbie. She survived her beloved husband by 57 years and dedicated the remainder of her life to tirelessly shaping public opinion. Through her efforts, writings, and fervent advocacy, Libbie Custer meticulously crafted an image of her husband as a brave, heroic, and noble figure, tragically cut down in his prime. Thanks in large part to her tireless work, Custer achieved in death the enduring fame and even infamy he pursued throughout his life. His story, often romanticized or demonized, continues to captivate through dime novels, art, music, and film.
Conclusion: The Enduring Myth of a Complex Figure
George Armstrong Custer remains one of America’s most polarizing historical figures. From his audacious leadership during the Civil War to the controversial actions at Washita and his ultimate, disastrous
