George Armstrong Custer (December 5, 1839 – June 25, 1876) was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars. Custer graduated from West Point in 1861 at the bottom of his class, but as the Civil War was just starting, trained officers were in immediate demand.
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Was Custer scalped or mutilated?
It is known that General Custer's body, though stripped of clothing, was neither scalped nor mutilated. He had been struck twice by bullets, either one of which could have been fatal. The burials were made in shallow graves and properly marked wherever identification was possible.
Why is Custer important?
George Armstrong Custer (1839-1876) became famous for his starring role in the disastrous Battle of the Little Bighorn—falsely ennobled as "Custer's Last Stand"—but the military commander lived a colorful early life and rose to fame as a Union general in the American Civil War.
What was General Custer ordered to do?
Custer was to command an expedition planned for the spring, part of a three-pronged campaign.
Was General Custer a war hero?
Today, George Armstrong Custer is remembered for one day in his life—the day he died in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, which has invariably tarnished his entire career. In his time, however, he was a national hero and one of the most popular figures in the country due to his Civil War exploits.
Who was to blame for Custer's Last Stand?
About three thousand Sioux warriors led by Crazy Horse descended upon Custer's regiment, and within hours the entire Seventh Cavalry and General Custer were massacred.
Did Custer disobey orders?
With the Civil War over, the focus of military action was now on the native Americans in the west. Custer went AWOL from this campaign, he also disobeyed orders and was accused of mistreating his men. He was court-martialed and suspended for a year, only to be reinstated early so that he could return to the frontier.
How many men died with Custer?
All 210 U.S. soldiers who followed George Armstrong Custer into the Battle of the Little Bighorn were killed; Custer also died. There were about 50 known deaths among Sitting Bull's followers.
Why did Custer lose the Battle?
Custer was unaware of the number of Indians fighting under the command of Sitting Bull (c. 1831-90) at Little Bighorn, and his forces were outnumbered and quickly overwhelmed in what became known as Custer's Last Stand.
What really happened at Little Bighorn?
On June 25, 1876, Native American forces led by Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull defeat the U.S. Army troops of Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer in the Battle of the Little Bighorn near southern Montana's Little Bighorn River.
Did anyone survive the Battle of the Little Bighorn?
While no US Army soldier survived the engagement, one horse was found alive on the battlefield. The horse, named Comanche, had belonged Capt. Myles Keough, and had suffered no less than seven bullet wounds during the battle.
How many horses did George Custer have shot from under him?
11 horsesMen found in Custer a gallant leader worthy of following into battle. In the majority of the battles where he fought against Confederate forces he was victorious. On many occasions, he narrowly escaped harm in battle having 11 horses shot from under him.
Why did they call Custer yellow hair?
In the West, Custer wore a distinctive buckskin uniform, meant to catch the eye of reporters. And he caught the eye of his enemies as well, who began to call him "Yellow Hair." But during his first campaign against the Cheyenne in 1867, his career had very nearly come to an end.
Why is Custer's last stand so important?
The Battle of the Little Bighorn, also called Custer's Last Stand, marked the most decisive Native American victory and the worst U.S. Army defeat in the long Plains Indian War. The demise of Custer and his men outraged many white Americans and confirmed their image of the Indians as wild and bloodthirsty.
Why is General Custer a hero?
George Armstrong Custer was a Union cavalry officer in the American Civil War (1861–65) and a U.S. commander in wars against Native Americans over control of the Great Plains. He led his men in one of U.S. history's most controversial battles, the Battle of the Little Bighorn, on June 25, 1876.
What did Thomas Custer do?
He enlisted in the Army's 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry in 1861. Custer took part in several battles in Tennessee and Georgia before being sent to perform escort duties on the staff of three generals until his unit was disbanded.
What did Custer do in South Dakota?
The Black Hills Expedition (1874) was led by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer through modern day North and South Dakota. The U.S. government had instructed Custer to undertake the expedition with the objective of finding a suitable location for a new military fort.
Why was George Armstrong Custer important?
George Armstrong Custer was a Union cavalry officer in the American Civil War (1861–65) and a U.S. commander in wars against Native Americans over...
Who was George Armstrong Custer married to?
George Armstrong Custer was married to Elizabeth (Libbie) Bacon Custer in her hometown of Monroe, Michigan. They wed on February 9, 1864.
How did George Armstrong Custer die?
George Armstrong Custer was found with two bullet wounds—one in his chest and one in front of his left temple—either of which could have killed him...
What did George Armstrong Custer accomplish?
Although George Armstrong Custer was considered a hero by many Americans after the Battle of the Little Bighorn, his image changed in the latter ha...
Who Was George Custer?
During the Civil War, George Custer commanded several different cavalry divisions and distinguished himself with his bravery in some of its most important battles. In 1866 Custer joined the 7th Cavalry in Kansas, and on June 25, 1876, he led 210 men against Lakota and Cheyenne warriors at the Battle of Little Bighorn, where he and all of his men were killed.
What was the significance of the Battle of Little Bighorn?
The Battle of Little Bighorn was a stinging embarrassment to the U.S. government, which redoubled its efforts and quickly and cruelly defeated the Lakota. For his role in the battle, Custer earned himself his place in American history, though certainly not in the way he would have wished for.
Why was Custer called a boy general?
Placed in command of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, over the next few years Custer distinguished himself at such important battles as Gettysburg and Yellow Tavern and earned himself the nickname "Boy General," in reference to his relatively young age.
How much was the Custer lock worth?
In 2018, Heritage Auctions announced that it had sold a lock of Custer's hair for $12,500. The lock came from the collection of artist and American West enthusiast Glen Swanson, who said that it was preserved when Custer saved his hair following a trip to the barber, in case he needed a wig.
Why did Custer fail to graduate?
Compounding his poor academic showing, just a few days after graduation, Custer failed as officer of the guard to prevent a fight between two cadets.
When did Custer join the 7th Cavalry?
In 1866 Custer joined the 7th Cavalry in Kansas, and on June 25, 1876, he led 210 men against Lakota and Cheyenne warriors at the Battle of Little Bighorn, where he and all of his men were killed.
What was Custer's military career?
Military Career. Custer was placed in command of a cavalry unit as a second lieutenant, and in July 1861 quickly earned recognition for himself with his brilliant direction of its actions at the First Battle of Bull Run. He also seemed to possess a gift for avoiding injury, which he came to call "Custer's luck.".
What battles did Custer participate in?
He participated in the Maryland Campaign in September to October, the Battle of South Mountain on September 14, the Battle of Antietam on September 17, and the March to Warrenton, Virginia, in October. Custer (extreme right) with President Lincoln, General McClellan and other officers at the Battle of Antietam, 1862.
Why was Custer's uniform so showy?
Historian Tom Carhart observed that "A showy uniform for Custer was one of command presence on the battlefield: he wanted to be readily distinguishable at first glance from all other soldiers. He intended to lead from the front, and to him it was a crucial issue of unit morale that his men be able to look up in the middle of a charge, or at any other time on the battlefield, and instantly see him leading the way into danger."
What was the first major victory in the Southern Plains War?
The Battle of Washita River was regarded as the first substantial U.S. victory in the Southern Plains War, and it helped force a large portion of the Southern Cheyenne onto a U.S.-assigned reservation. In 1873, Custer was sent to the Dakota Territory to protect a railroad survey party against the Lakota.
Why was Custer sent to the Dakota Territory?
In 1873, Custer was sent to the Dakota Territory to protect a railroad survey party against the Lakota. On August 4, 1873, near the Tongue River, Custer and the 7th Cavalry Regiment clashed for the first time with the Lakota. One man on each side was killed.
How many years did Custer attend West Point?
With the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, the course was shortened to four years, and Custer and his class graduated on June 24, 1861.
Why was Custer named after Armstrong?
According to family letters, Custer was named after George Armstrong, a minister, in his devout mother's hope that her son might join the clergy.
How many honorary promotions did Custer have?
Custer's promotions and ranks including his six brevet [honorary] promotions which were all for gallant and meritorious services at five different battles and one campaign:
How many demerits did Custer have?
While intelligent and talented, he dismissed the Academy’s disciplinary system and was a lazy student. He was nearly expelled several times. He racked up 726 demerits in just four years – one of the highest amounts in West Point history – and graduated last in his class, a position commonly known as the “goat.”
What was Custer known for?
Custer earned a reputation for both bravery and brashness. He also became known as a publicity hound, taking every opportunity to get himself in front of the cameras and newspapermen documenting the war.
How many men did Custer have at the Battle of Little Bighorn?
He divided his troops into three battalions, which were to attack the camp from different directions. Custer and his 210 men headed north, into the Battle of the Little Bighorn, never to be seen alive again. The action of the other battalion commanders has been mired in controversy.
How old was Custer when he was promoted to General?
In the summer of 1863, the 23-year-old Custer was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers, and took command of the Michigan Calvary Brigade. Soon after, he began sporting an unusual and flamboyant uniform, which brought him even more attention.
Why was Custer court martialed?
Shortly afterwards, he was court-martialed for leaving his command to visit Libbie. Sentenced to one year’s leave without pay, the Custer’s returned to Michigan. But by the fall of 1868, Custer was back, with Phil Sheridan having argued for his early return to fight in the Indian Wars.
Why did Custer leave the army?
He briefly considered leaving the army to pursue business opportunities or run for political office, but when a new 7th Cavalry Regiment was raised to pursue American aims in the West, Custer assumed command as a lieutenant colonel.
What was Custer's last stand?
Custer’s death at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876 – now infamous as Custer’s Last Stand – made him a martyr for American expansionism, although he had been harshly criticized for his actions and remains a controversial figure.
How many Custer brothers died in the Battle of Little Bighorn?
1. Four other members of the Custer family died at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Among the force of more than 200 men wiped out by the Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne warriors on June 25, 1876, were Custer’s 18-year-old nephew, Henry Reed, brother-in-law James Calhoun and two younger brothers, Boston and Thomas ...
What did Custer wear?
He wore a black velvet uniform with coils of gold lace, spurs on his boots, a red scarf around his neck and a large, broad-brimmed sombrero. Custer took particular pride in his cascading golden locks, which he perfumed with cinnamon oil.
What rank did Custer get?
In June 1863, Custer was promoted to the rank of brigadier general at the age of 23, and he cemented his reputation as the “Boy General” days later at the Battle of Gettysburg when he repelled a pivotal Confederate assault led by J.E.B. Stuart. By the end of the Civil War, Custer had risen to the rank of major general.
Why was Custer court martialed?
Prior to graduating from West Point, Custer was court-martialed for neglect of duty in failing to stop a fight between two cadets when he was officer of the guard and received a light punishment.
What was Custer's role in the Battle of Bull Run?
Custer served the Army of the Potomac with distinction from the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861 to Appomattox Court House four years later. Custer’s forces blocked Confederate General R obert E. Lee’ s final retreat, and he received the white truce flag signifying Lee’s wish to meet with Union General Ulysses S. Grant.
How many horses did Custer have?
During the Civil War, the “Boy General” seemed to have such a streak of good fortune, which included his avoidance of serious injury in spite of his daring command and having 11 horses shot out from under him, that is was referred to as “Custer’s luck.”.
What is the nickname of Custer?
2. His nickname was “Autie.”. Custer’s mispronunciation of his middle name when he first began to speak was adopted by his family as his nickname. The moniker stuck with him for his entire life and was used by his wife, Libbie, as a term of endearment. 3.
What was the purpose of the Fort Laramie Treaty?
The new agreement guaranteed the Sioux hunting rights and the removal of U.S. military forts from the area. However, the Americans saw it as part of the process of establishing reservations for Indian tribes and eventually assimilating them into American culture with schools, agriculture, and private plots of land. The Sioux appreciated the protections in the treaty but did not feel bound to adopt white ways or be constrained in pursuing their traditional way of life.
How did Custer divide his army?
Custer divided his army into four columns and deployed them to assault the village and block any escape. Fearing his army was in danger of being overwhelmed, he used 53 women and children as hostages as he withdrew his troops. After Major Joel Elliott and his 18 men were killed in a last stand, an officer blamed Custer in a letter to a friend; a newspaper obtained the letter and published it anonymously. When Custer threatened to horsewhip the letter’s author, Captain Frederick Benteen boldly admitted he wrote it and Custer backed down, appearing weak. The dissension in the regiment’s command boded ill for the future, however.
How many men were in the thicket of Reno?
Benteen soon reinforced Reno during a lull in the fighting in the nearly 100-degree heat. The 15 men from the thicket also made it to what is now called Reno Hill, and the pack train with ammunition and supplies arrived as well. Benteen asked where Custer was, but Reno did not have a good answer. The men built entrenchments from ammunition and hardtack boxes, saddles, and even dead horses. For more than three hours they fought off constant attacks by hundreds of warriors and were relieved only by the arrival of darkness after 9 p.m. Reno’s men did an especially good job of digging entrenchments and barricades even though they were tired and thirsty.
What was the name of the Indian tribe that fought the American Indians?
The different Indian tribes decided to unite through the summer and fight the encroaching Americans. In the spring, Sitting Bull called for warriors at the agencies to assemble at his village for war. The U.S. federal government established agencies that provided land, rations, and protection for the American Indians. Nearly 2,000 warriors answered the call and swelled the village of 8,000 American Indians by June. Many were armed with the latest repeating Springfield rifles.
What happened to Sitting Bull?
Army relentlessly pursued the Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne until it forced their surrender by applying military pressure and killing off buffalo herds. That year, Congress passed a bill claiming all the Black Hills and hunting lands of the 1868 treaty. Sitting Bull submitted to the U.S. government in 1881, and his authority as chief was no longer recognized. He was killed by Standing Rock Agency Indians in December 1890 just before the Battle of Wounded Knee.
What did Sitting Bull do in his visions?
That spring, Sitting Bull reported visions and dreams with omens that promised victory over the white man. In mid-May, he fasted and purified himself in a ritual called the Sun Dance. After 50 small strips of flesh had been cut from each arm, he had a vision that showed the whites coming into the Indians’ camp and suffering a great defeat. Meanwhile, Custer and the Seventh Cavalry regiment were also planning a summer campaign.
What were the major issues in the 1870s?
The Transcontinental Railroad contributed to western development and the integration of national markets, but it also intruded on American Indian lands. Two military expeditions were dispatched to Montana to protect the railroad and its workers in 1872. The Panic of 1873 bankrupted the Northern Pacific Railroad and temporarily halted railroad building, but the tide of settlers could not be stemmed. In 1874, gold was reportedly discovered in the Black Hills within the heart of the Great Sioux Reservation. By the end of 1875, as many as 15,000 prospectors and miners had flooded the Black Hills in search of gold.
How did Custer die?
Per History, Custer died of two gunshot wounds, but reports vary as to whether his body was stripped, scalped, and dismembered like the others, whether Custer lay untouched because he was not wearing his uniform (or, perhaps because he had an affair with a Cheyenne maiden), or whether his eardrums were pierced for his refusal to listen. But America was so caught up in Custer's defeat that history has nearly forgotten that four other family members also died at Little Bighorn. Shapell claims that Custer's brother, Tom, rode beside him as he was wounded and may have shot Custer in the head to prevent the natives from torturing him. Tom was found near Custer's body, riddled with arrows. Nearby were Custer's nephew Autie Reed, his brother-in-law James Calhoun, and his youngest brother, Boston.
Why didn't Custer go to Little Bighorn?
Custer nearly didn't go to Little Bighorn after testifying in 1875 that President Ulysses S. Grant's brother, Orville, was one of several officials accused of selling "exclusive trading rights" at various forts and trading posts. The president was incensed, according to Little Bighorn Battlefield, as Custer not only testified against Secretary of War William Belknap (pictured), but also Orville Grant. Although Grant held Custer's testimony against him, he finally relented in the spring of 1876 so that the fearless commander could take his 7th Cavalry to clear out the Lakota and Sioux tribes and force them onto the Great Sioux Reservation in South Dakota.
Why did Custer go to West Point?
Upon deciding to attend West Point, Custer found that he needed a congressional appointment — something the local Republican congressman was unwilling to give. Mary's father, however, happened to be a Democrat and willingly gave his blessing as a means to get Custer away from his daughter. Little Bighorn Battlefield confirms that the boy began his studies in the fall of 1857.
Where did Custer go to school?
While living with his half-sister and her husband in Monroe, Michigan, Custer attended Stebbins Academy — but favored reading whimsical romance novels over studying. Upon returning to Ohio, Custer enrolled at McNeely Normal School at age 16. It took a year for him to acquire a teaching certificate, at which point Custer found himself teaching grammar school students. The occupation bored him silly, says History 101, although he did stick around long enough to teach, briefly, at two different country schools. But the teen wanted more out of life and decided instead to apply to the United States Military at West Point. He was almost immediately accepted, says his biography on Little Bighorn Battlefield, and entered the Academy at only 17 years old.
Why did Custer stay on?
With the war over, he decided to stay on, accepting a position as Lieutenant Colonel. In 1867, according to History Source, he was assigned to go west to handle the "Indian problem.".
Where was George Custer born?
According to American National Biography, George Armstrong Custer was born in New Rumley, Ohio , in 1839, to farmers Emanuel and Maria (nee Ward) Custer. History confirms that as a young child, George was unable to pronounce his middle name, calling himself "Autie." He would carry the nickname throughout his life. The Custers were a large, "rough-and-tumble" family, and Autie spent his youth running around the countryside hunting and fishing and was big on practical jokes. As he grew older, Custer's family instilled in him Methodism and the virtues of the Democratic party.
Where did the Custer massacre take place?
The legendary massacre, in which Custer and over 200 other soldiers died along the Little Bighorn River in Montana, remains one of the most controversial engagements in history.
What happened to Custer at Gettysburg?
He became a national hero after the Battle of Gettysburg (and his future father-in-law started to like him) Custer hanging with the boys (and a dog) at Gettysburg. Custer led several charges at Gettysburg, including one where his horse was shot out from under him.
Why was Custer punished?
He was punished by the officers on the staff for his lack of judgment and kept from getting his diploma and commission until a few months later. 2. His future father-in-law wasn’t a big fan at first. Custer with his wife Libbie (seated).
Why didn't Custer graduate from West Point?
He didn’t graduate with the rest of his West Point class because he got in trouble. Cadet Custer at West Point. The night before he was supposed to graduate with the Class of 1861, he was the cadet duty officer. During his watch he came across two junior cadets having a heated discussion, and instead of breaking it up he suggested they settle it by ...
What enabled SOG operations?
What enabled SOG operations was a steady supply of loyal and fierce local fighters who passionately hated the North Vietnamese —and sometimes each other. These local warfighters worked with the American commandos as mercenaries. The “Little People,” as the Americans affectionally called them, proved their worth on the field, against impossible odds time and again.
What does "commander of army element" mean?
(1) If a commander of an Army element, other than a commander of a headquarters and headquarters element, dies, becomes disabled, retires, is reassigned, or is temporarily absent, the senior regularly assigned Army Soldier will assume command.
Where was Custer at the Battle of Antietam?
Custer (right) with rebel prisoner. Custer distinguished himself at the bloody Battle of Antietam near Maryland’s border with West Virginia on the Potomac River, but the campaign took a physical and emotional toll. He was given sick leave, which he used to return to Michigan and pursue his relationship with Libbie. 4.
Who was Custer's wife?
Custer with his wife Libbie (seated). Custer had a romantic interest in Libbie Bacon, who was from a prominent Michigan family, but her father was concerned about his working class roots and excessive drinking. 3. He was given sick leave following the Battle of Antietam. Custer (right) with rebel prisoner.
Why did the Plains Indians mutilate the enemy dead?
Mutilation of the enemy dead was a common practice among Plains Indians because they believed it would render one’s foe incapable of doing battle in the next world. Yet I’m skeptical of both tales; they came out long after the battle, without corroboration.
Why did George Custer's ears get pierced?
Some 50 years after the fight, two Cheyenne women asserted they had pierced George Custer’s ears with needles so he could hear better in the afterlife. Reports also circulated that George’s penis had an arrow rammed up it, a detail kept secret to protect his widow, Libbie. Mutilation of the enemy dead was a common practice ...
Who is Marshall Trimble?
Marshall Trimble is Arizona’s official historian and the Wild West History Association’s vice president. His latest book is 2018’s Arizona Oddities: A Land of Anomalies and Tamales . Send your question, with your city/state of residence, to [email protected] or Ask the Marshall, P.O. Box 8008, Cave Creek, AZ 85327.
Was Brother Tom mutilated?
Why not? Practically every other soldier’s remains were ravaged. Brother Tom’s body was so badly mutilated, he was identified by a tattoo.
Overview
George Armstrong Custer (December 5, 1839 – June 25, 1876) was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars.
Custer graduated from West Point in 1861 at the bottom of his class, but as the Civil War was just starting, trained officers were in immediate demand. He wor…
Family and ancestry
Custer's paternal ancestors, Paulus and Gertrude Küster, came to the North American English colonies around 1693 from the Rhineland in Germany, probably among thousands of Palatines whose passage was arranged by the English government to gain settlers in New York and Pennsylvania.
According to family letters, Custer was named after George Armstrong, a minister, in his devout …
Birth, siblings, and childhood
Custer was born in New Rumley, Ohio, to Emanuel Henry Custer (1806–1892), a farmer and blacksmith, and his second wife, Marie Ward Kirkpatrick (1807–1882), who was of English and Scots-Irish descent. He had two younger brothers, Thomas and Boston. His other full siblings were the family's youngest child, Margaret Custer, and Nevin Custer, who suffered from asthma and rheumatism. Custer also had three older half-siblings. Custer and his brothers acquired a life-lon…
Education
In order to attend school, Custer lived with an older half-sister and her husband in Monroe, Michigan. Before entering the United States Military Academy, Custer attended the McNeely Normal School, later known as Hopedale Normal College, in Hopedale, Ohio. It was to train teachers for elementary schools. While attending Hopedale, Custer and classmate William Enos Emery were known t…
Civil War
Like the other graduates, Custer was commissioned as a second lieutenant; he was assigned to the 2nd U.S. Cavalry Regiment and tasked with drilling volunteers in Washington, D.C. On July 21, 1861, he was with his regiment at the First Battle of Bull Run during the Manassas Campaign, where Army commander Winfield Scott detailed him to carry messages to Major General Irvin McDowell. …
Reconstruction duties in Texas
On June 3, 1865, at Sheridan's behest, Major General Custer accepted command of the 2nd Division of Cavalry, Military Division of the Southwest, to march from Alexandria, Louisiana, to Hempstead, Texas, as part of the Union occupation forces. Custer arrived at Alexandria on June 27 and began assembling his units, which took more than a month to gather and remount. On July 17, he assumed command of the Cavalry Division of the Military Division of the Gulf (on August …
Post-war options
On February 1, 1866, Major General Custer mustered out of the U.S. volunteer service and took an extended leave of absence and awaited orders until September 24. He explored options in New York City, where he considered careers in railroads and mining. Offered a position (and $10,000 in gold) as adjutant general of the army of Benito Juárez of Mexico, who was then in a stru…
Indian Wars
On July 28, 1866, Custer was appointed lieutenant colonel of the newly created 7th Cavalry Regiment, which was headquartered at Fort Riley, Kansas. He served on frontier duty at Fort Riley from October 18 to March 26, and scouted in Kansas and Colorado until July 28, 1867. He took part in Major General Winfield Scott Hancock's expedition against the Cheyenne. On June 26, Lt. Lyman Kidder's party, made up of ten troopers and one scout, were massacred while en route to F…
Casualties
Personal
- Custers mispronunciation of his middle name when he first began to speak was adopted by his family as his nickname. The moniker stuck with him for his entire life and was used by his wife, Libbie, as a term of endearment.
Military career
- Custer was known by his fellow cadets at the U.S. Military Academy as the dare-devil of the class who devoted more energy to pranks than to his academic studies. Custers voluminous record of demerits earned him extra guard duty on most Saturdays, but he did manage to graduate from West Point in 1861, albeit as the lowest-ranking cadet, now known as the goat. Although Custer …
Military service
- Custer served the Army of the Potomac with distinction from the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861 to Appomattox Court House four years later. Custers forces blocked Confederate General Robert E. Lees final retreat, and he received the white truce flag signifying Lees wish to meet with Union General Ulysses S. Grant. Custer was present in the front parlor of Wilmer McLeans home on Ap…
Appearance
- The flamboyant Custer paid great attention to his appearance. He wore a black velvet uniform with coils of gold lace, spurs on his boots, a red scarf around his neck and a large, broad-brimmed sombrero. Custer took particular pride in his cascading golden locks, which he perfumed with cinnamon oil.
Legacy
- After Custers death, his widow devoted the remaining 57 years of her life writing books and delivering lectures that cast her husband as a martyr who gallantly staged his Last Stand. William Buffalo Bill Cody, who had briefly scouted for Custer, also contributed to the mythmaking. Weeks after the Battle of Little Bighorn, he killed and scalped a Cheyenne warrior named Yellow Hair an…
Later career
- During the Civil War, the Boy General seemed to have such a streak of good fortune, which included his avoidance of serious injury in spite of his daring command and having 11 horses shot out from under him, that is was referred to as Custers luck. The revival of his military career after his 1867 court-martial furthered the perception that Custer lived a charmed life, but Custers luck …
Later years
- The future president played the role of a young Custer in the 1940 western Santa Fe Trail, a box-office success that abounded in historical inaccuracies. Reagan starred opposite Errol Flynn, who played J.E.B. Stuart, on the hunt for abolitionist John Brown in pre-Civil War Kansas. A year later, Flynn starred as Custer in the highly mythologized biopic They Died With Their Boots On.