George Armstrong Custer is one of American history’s most controversial and enigmatic figures. His life, filled with dramatic highs and lows, left an indelible mark on the nation’s memory. From his early military exploits to his infamous last stand at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Custer’s story is a fascinating blend of bravery, ambition, and tragedy.
Early life and military beginnings
Childhood and Education
George Armstrong Custer was born on 5 December 1839, in New Rumley, Ohio. The son of Emanuel Henry Custer and Maria Ward Kirkpatrick, Custer grew up in a large family with modest means. His early life was unremarkable, but his ambition and zest for adventure were evident from a young age. Custer attended the McNeely Normal School, now known as Hopedale Normal College, and later secured an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1857.
Custer’s time at West Point was characterised by a lack of discipline and a penchant for mischief. He graduated last in his class in 1861, a ranking known as the “goat.” Despite his academic and disciplinary shortcomings, Custer’s charisma and leadership potential were apparent. His timing was fortuitous; he graduated just as the American Civil War erupted, providing him with an immediate and critical role in military service.
The Civil War hero
Custer’s military career took off during the Civil War. He initially served as a second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Cavalry. His courage and tactical acumen quickly gained attention. At the Battle of Bull Run, he displayed significant bravery, which caught the eye of higher command.
In 1863, at just 23 years old, Custer was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers, one of the youngest generals in the Union Army. His flamboyant style, characterised by wearing a distinctive uniform, earned him the nickname “The Boy General.” Custer’s cavalry brigade played pivotal roles in several key battles, including Gettysburg, where his aggressive tactics helped thwart Confederate cavalry movements.
By the end of the Civil War, Custer had established himself as a fearless and effective cavalry commander. He was present at the Appomattox Court House in April 1865, where General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, marking the end of the war. Custer’s role in the Union victory made him a celebrated hero, and he was promoted to the rank of major general.
Post-war challenges and the Indian Wars
After the Civil War, Custer faced a challenging transition to peacetime. He struggled with the mundane aspects of garrison duty and sought ways to rekindle his wartime glory. Custer was mustered out of volunteer service in 1866 but retained his rank of lieutenant colonel in the regular army.
The Indian Wars
Custer’s post-war career is most notably defined by his involvement in the Indian Wars. The United States’ westward expansion led to numerous conflicts with Native American tribes. Custer was assigned to the 7th Cavalry Regiment and tasked with protecting settlers and enforcing U.S. policies in the Great Plains.
The Washita Massacre
One of Custer’s most controversial actions occurred in 1868 at the Battle of Washita River, also known as the Washita Massacre. On 27 November 1868, Custer led the 7th Cavalry Regiment in a surprise dawn attack on a Cheyenne village along the Washita River in present-day Oklahoma. The village was led by Chief Black Kettle, a prominent peace-seeking leader.
Despite Black Kettle’s previous attempts at peace, the attack resulted in the deaths of numerous Cheyenne, including women and children, and the destruction of their homes and winter supplies. Custer reported it as a significant victory, claiming it weakened the Cheyenne’s capacity to wage war. However, the event was controversial, sparking debates over Custer’s tactics and the broader U.S. policy towards Native Americans.
The Battle of Washita River underscored the brutal realities of the Indian Wars and highlighted the aggressive measures taken by the U.S. Army to force Native American tribes onto reservations, leading to further hostilities and resistance.
The Battle of the Little Bighorn
Prelude to the battle
The most defining moment of Custer’s career came on 25 June 1876 at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. As part of a campaign against the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes, Custer’s regiment was tasked with locating and engaging the Native American forces. Underestimating the strength and unity of his opponents, Custer chose to divide his forces into three separate battalions, a tactic he had employed successfully in the past, which proved disastrous in this instance.
The Last Stand
He underestimated the size and fighting capabilities of the Native American forces, led by notable leaders such as Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. The Native American coalition, numbering around 2,000 warriors, overwhelmed Custer’s fragmented battalions. Custer and all 210 men of his immediate command were killed in what became known as “Custer’s Last Stand”
Custer’s failures at the Battle of the Little Bighorn stemmed from tactical errors and misjudgments. His refusal to wait for reinforcements from General Alfred Terry and Colonel John Gibbon and his decision to engage a numerically superior enemy without proper survey led to the catastrophic defeat.
The Native American warriors capitalised on their knowledge of the terrain and their numerical advantage, effectively surrounding and decimating Custer’s forces. This battle has since become a symbol of Native American resistance against U.S. expansion, as well as a poignant example of military hubris and the tragic consequences of underestimating one’s opponent.
Legacy and Controversy
Immediate aftermath
The immediate reaction to Custer’s death was one of shock and outrage. The U.S. government intensified its efforts against Native American tribes, leading to further conflicts and eventual subjugation of the Plains Indians. Custer was initially hailed as a martyr and hero, and his widow, Elizabeth “Libbie” Bacon Custer, worked tirelessly to preserve and promote his legacy.
Reassessment and criticism
As time passed, Custer’s legacy underwent significant reassessment. Historians and scholars scrutinised his actions and decisions, highlighting his reckless ambition and the devastating impact on Native American communities. Custer’s role in the Indian Wars and the massacre at Washita River painted a more complex and less heroic picture.
Despite the controversies, Custer remains a prominent figure in American culture. His life and death have been depicted in numerous books, films, and television series. Custer’s story embodies the tumultuous period of American expansion and the complex dynamics between the U.S. military and Native American tribes.
George Armstrong Custer’s life was a tapestry of triumph and tragedy. From his meteoric rise during the Civil War to his tragic end at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Custer’s legacy is a testament to the complexities of American history. He is remembered as a gallant military leader and a symbol of the nation’s troubled past.
Sources
Fletcher, M. L. (2006). The Iron Cold of the Marshall Trilogy.
Whittaker, Frederick, 1838-1889. A Complete Life of Gen. George A. Custer: Major-general of Volunteers; Brevet Major-general, U.S. Army; And Lieutenant-colonel, Seventh U.S. Cavalry. New York: Sheldon, 1876.
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