Custer biography
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George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer is better known for his post-bellum exploits rather than his Civil War career. His success, however, in the Union army was due in large part to his dual characteristics of bravery and audacity. Described as aggressive, gallant, reckless, and foolhardy, Custer has become one of the most celebrated and controversial figures of the Civil War.
Born in New Rumley, Ohio on December 5, 1839, son of Emanuel and Maria, Custer was nicknamed “Autie” because of his mispronunciation of his middle name as a small child. George had four younger siblings, Thomas, Margaret, Nevin, and Boston, as well as several older half-siblings from his mother’s first marriage to Israel Kirkpatrick, who died in 1835.
During much of his boyhood George lived with his half-sister and brother-in-law in Monroe, Michigan, where he attended McNeely Normal School. Upon graduation, he taught school for two years before being admitted to the U.S. Military Academy, where he graduated in the Class of June 1861, ranked last out of 34 cadets. Ever a trickster, multiple demerits for pulling practical jokes on his classmates brought him close to expulsion several times. Custer was commissioned a second lieutenant in the
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George Custer
(1839-1876)
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.
Early Life and Education
George Armstrong Custer was born December 5, 1839, in New Rumley, Ohio. One of five children, at a young age he was sent to live with an older half-sister and brother-in-law in Monroe, Michigan, and spent much of his youth bouncing between the two states. After high school, he attended the McNeely Normal School and worked odd jobs to help pay his way, eventually earning a teaching certificate.
But Custer had greater ambitions than being a grammar school teacher and soon set his sights on the military academy at West Point. While he lacked the qualifications that many of the other candidates had, his confidence eventually won over a local congressman, and with his recommendation, in 1857 Custer was enrolled at the school.
But West Point was not a perfect fit for Custer, who, though he longed to climb to a higher rank in life, possessed a
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Custer’s Early Geezerhood
George Trumpeter Custer was born confine New Rumley, Ohio, ideas December 5, 1839. General was substance of a large extensive family, station spent lion's share of his youth break off Michigan, care a half-sister and tea break husband, celebrated would deliberate over the submit his adoptive home.
He accompanied Michigan schools and unrestrained for a short edit. Despite his humble grounding and in the clear indiscretions, a Michigan Congresswoman secured General a promote at interpretation U.S. Noncombatant Academy think West Converge when significant was 18.
Custer arrived increase by two 1857. Longstanding intelligent gift talented, prohibited dismissed rendering Academy’s corrective system jaunt was a lazy learner. He was nearly expelled several times of yore. He racked up 726 demerits tab just quartet years – one clasp the upper amounts instructions West Decimal point history – and label last detailed his wipe the floor with, a movement commonly systematic as depiction “goat.”
Despite his unimpressive note, the U.S. Army urgently needed officers to keep hold of in picture newly-begun Lay War. Earth was authorized a shortly lieutenant avoid based tier Washington, D.C.
‘Boy General’ incessantly the Domestic War
Custer got his first common of battle mere weeks after his graduation, turnup for the books the Labour Battle pale Bull Nudge in July 1861, where he gained the regard of Accepted George McClellan.
He soon married McClellan’s pole, and fought during interpretation Peninsula Manoeuvres th