Famous American soldier and cavalry leader in the Civil War and on Indian campaigns afterward. A loyal citizen, a tender son, a devoted husband. Family name “Autie”; otherwise called Armstrong; by war correspondents styled “the Boy General”; by the soldiers nicknamed “Old Curly,” and “Jack”; entitled by the Indians “the Yellow Hair,” “the Long Hair,” or, in full, “White Chief with the Long Yellow Hair.” Born at New Rumley, Ohio, December 5, 1839.
Father: Emmanuel H. Custer, of Maryland.
Mother: Maria Ward Kirkpatrick, of Pennsylvania.
Spent his boyhood at New Rumley, on the farm, and with his sister at Monroe, Michigan.
Educated at New Rumley, at the Stebbins Academy (Monroe) and the Monroe “Seminary,” and at the Hopedale, Ohio, Normal School.
Appointed to West Point Military Academy, 1857.
Graduates last in his class, 1861.
Assigned as second lieutenant, G Company, Second United States Cavalry.
Three days after leaving West Point reports for duty with General McDowell’s army, on the morning of the battle of Bull Run.
Soon detailed as aide-de-camp and assistant adjutant-general on the staff of General Philip Kearny.
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Second lieutenant, Fifth United States Cavalry, 1862, under General Stoneman.
Serves briefly with the Topographical Engineers, 1862.
Appointed aide-de-camp on the staff of General McClellan, June, 1862, with rank of Captain.
After McClellan’s removal is appointed first lieutenant, Fifth Cavalry.
On waiting orders, at Monroe, winter of 1862–’63, woos and wins his future wife, Elizabeth Bacon.
Reports for duty as first lieutenant with M Company, Fifth Cavalry, Army of the Potomac, April, 1863.
Appointed aide-de-camp to General Pleasanton, commanding First Division, Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac.
June, 1863, at the age of 23 appointed brigadier general of volunteers, in command of the Second Brigade (the “Michigan” Brigade), Third Division, Cavalry Corps, under General Kilpatrick, and distinguishes himself at the battle of Gettysburg. “The boy general with the golden locks.”
Slightly wounded at Culpepper, September, 1863.
Married, February 4, 1864, at Monroe, Michigan, to Elizabeth Bacon, daughter of Judge Daniel S. Bacon, and takes his bride with him to the brigade headquarters camp.
By Sheridan, the new cavalry commander, is given the advance in the various raids.
Transferred to command of the Second Division of Cavalry, and finally September, 1864, to that of the Third Division.
October, 1864, aged 25 is brevetted major-general of volunteers, for gallantry. The youngest in the army.
Continues to lead the Third Division of cavalry, which is conspicuous for its discipline, its dash, and the long hair, cavalier hats and flying red neckties of its men, copied after the well-known Custer garb.
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Eleven horses are shot under him, in battle. In six months his division captures 111 pieces of field artillery, 65 battle-flags, and 10,000 prisoners including seven generals. It does not lose a flag or a gun or meet defeat.
April 9, 1865, he receives flag of truce conveying the first word that General Lee is considering surrender. Thus “the boy general” has fought through from Bull Run to Appomattox.
At the close of the war is ordered with a division of cavalry to Texas.
Offered the command of the cavalry of the army of General Juarez, Mexico, in the conflict with Emperor Maximilian; but by Congress is not permitted to accept.
In 1866 brevetted major-general in the regular army, for war services.
October, 1866, appointed lieutenant-colonel to command the Seventh United States Cavalry, and ordered to Fort Riley, Kansas.
Five years of service, 1866–’71, on the plains of Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Indian Territory, resulting in the subjugation of the Kiowas, Arapahos, Cheyennes, Comanches and Apaches in that district.
From 1871 to 1873 stationed with his regiment in Kentucky.
Spring of 1873 ordered with his regiment to Fort Rice, Dakota, for operations among the Sioux. Occupies the new post of Fort Lincoln.
Engages in campaigns along the Yellowstone River, and explores and exploits the Black Hills.
June 25, 1876, aged 37, killed with five companies of his cavalry from which only one man, a Crow scout, escapes, in the battle of the Little Big Horn, Montana, with 3000 Sioux.