George Armstrong Custer remains to be a controversial figure in the historical world. He was a United States military officer and became a commander rising to fame during the Civil War. His fame was majorly driven by his post-war activities against the West Native Americans. He died in 1876 at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, known as Custer’s last stand. The battle made him an American expansionist martyr. His military journey faced notable criticism, but he made a name for himself, making him a historical figure. An analysis of the contributions of General Custer to Americans fighting the Civil War and Indian War will help provide a better comprehension of Custer’s controversial figure.
When he wished to join the military, Custer had an unimpressive record. However, the U.S. Army desperately needed officers to serve in the Civil War. As such, he joined the army as a second lieutenant and was placed in Washington, D.C. His first war taste came a few weeks after his graduation in 1861 at the first battle of Bull Run. His performance made General George McClellan take note of him. He soon joined McClellan’s staff and fought the 1862 Peninsula Campaign. By now, he had earned a status of both audacity and bravery. He also became a publicity hound since he took each opportunity to get in front of the newspaper journalists and cameras documenting the war.
In 1863, Custer, aged 23 years, was promoted to the brigadier general of volunteers, where he took charge of the Michigan Calvary brigade. He played a vital role in the Battle of Gettysburg. He prevented General J.E.B Stuart from confronting the Union troops and seizing Confederates escaping to the south after the Union victory. However, this event resulted in the loss of 250 men in his brigade. This number was the highest number of people lost among Union cavalry units. All through the war, Custer’s unit continued to have a disproportionate populace of casualties.
In 1864, Custer fought beside Major General Philip Sheridan during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, which let him appear on Harper Weekly’s cover. He was then moved to Petersburg, where, together with his men, he was part of the Battle of Appomattox Court House up until its end in 1865. He took charge of a daring cavalry raid during the final days of the Civil War. The nationwide newspaper covered the raid, resulting in Custer receiving a final promotion to major general of the volunteer team. During Lee’s surrender, Custer was present, which resulted in Custer’s wife, Libbie, being gifted the table that Lee had signed on. Phil Sheridan gifted Libbie the table to recognize Custer’s service in the war. General Custer served in the war from its earliest days until the end. He remained unscathed throughout his war service, something he chalked up to “Custer’s luck.”
General Custer’s Contribution to Indian Wars
After the war, the general reverted to being the captain and briefly considered leaving the U.S. Army. However, in June 1866, he was made lieutenant colonel of the 7th Cavalry Regiment. He was part of Major General Winfield Scott Hancock’s mission against Cheyenne. After the Hancock campaign, he was suspended from his duties and arrested at Fort Leavenworth for abandoning his duties to see his wife. He was later allowed to return following the request of Major General Sheridan. The Major General wanted Custer to help him plan the winter campaign against Cheyenne. After his return, he took the frontier duty in scouting Indian Territory in 1869. He also took part in the establishment of the camp supply of the Indian Territory in 1868. Later the same year, he took charge of the 7th cavalry regiment during the attack of the Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle’s encampment during the Battle of Washita River. He took 53 women and children as prisoners and killed 103 warriors in the process. He had his men shoot 875 Indian ponies that had been captured. This battle was the first significant U.S. triumph in theSouthern Plains War. He later died in 1876 at Little Bighorn Battlefield at the age of 36 years.
Works Cited
Custer, Elizabeth Bacon. The Boy General: Story of the Life of Major-General George A. Custer, as Told by Elizabeth B. Custer... C. Scribner’s Sons, 1901.
Custer, George Armstrong, and Elizabeth Bacon Custer. The Custer Story: The Life and Intimate Letters of General George A. Custer and His Wife Elizabeth. U of Nebraska Press, 1987.
Esser, Michael Thomas. FIGHTING A. Diss. Temple University. Libraries, 2019.
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