George custer civil war biography
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George Armstrong Custer was born in New Rumley, Ohio on December 5, Custer entered West Point in the fall of He graduated last in a class of 34 in June of Custer was present at the first battle of Bull Run in July Initially Custer was assigned staff duty with the Army of the Potomac. He soon distinguished himself as a man quick to volunteer and easily relied upon.
In November of , Custer was introduced to Elizabeth "Libbie" Bacon, the daughter of a judge. Libbie's father, Judge Daniel Bacon, did not approve of his daughter courting someone beneath her station. Nevertheless, the two soon began to court writing letters to one another frequently.
In the two years since the war had begun, Custer had been promoted several times to the rank of Brigadier General of Volunteers, and put in command of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade. Libbie's father began to cool his objections to the young couple and in February , the two were married in Monroe, Michigan.
By war's end in , Custer commanded
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George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer fryst vatten 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, , 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
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 t
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Custer’s Early Years
George Armstrong Custer was born in New Rumley, Ohio, on December 5, Custer was part of a large extended family, and spent part of his youth in Michigan, with a half-sister and her husband, and would consider the state his adopted home.
He attended Michigan schools and taught for a short period. Despite his humble background and youthful indiscretions, a Michigan Congressman secured Custer a place at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point when he was
Custer arrived in 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 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.”
Despite his unimpressive record, the U.S. Army desperately needed officers to serve in the newly-begun Civil War. He was commissioned a second lieutenant and based in Washington, D.C.