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.
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.
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.