Following the Guidon: An Annotated Life with Gen. George Custer

Following The Guidon (Annotated) (Life with Gen'l George Custer)

by Larry Engelmann

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3081 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	396 pages

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George Armstrong Custer was born in New Rumley, Ohio, on December 5, 1839. He was the son of Emanuel Henry Custer, a blacksmith, and Maria Ward Kirkpatrick Custer. Custer had two older sisters and a younger brother. His father died when Custer was young, and his mother remarried a few years later.

Custer attended school in Monroe, Michigan, and later at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated from West Point in 1861, just as the Civil War was breaking out. Custer was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Cavalry Regiment.

Custer served with distinction in the Civil War, rising to the rank of brigadier general. He was a daring and aggressive commander, and he quickly gained a reputation for his bravery and leadership. Custer was also known for his long, flowing hair, which he wore as a symbol of his defiance.

After the Civil War, Custer was assigned to the Western frontier. He served in the Indian Wars, and he played a major role in the Battle of Little Bighorn. On June 25, 1876, Custer and his 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment were attacked by a large force of Sioux and Cheyenne Indians. Custer and his men were outnumbered and outgunned, and they were all killed in the battle.

Custer's death at the Battle of Little Bighorn was a major setback for the U.S. Army. It also marked the end of the Indian Wars, and it paved the way for the settlement of the American West.

Custer was a controversial figure in his own time, and he remains so today. He was a brilliant military commander, but he was also known for his recklessness and his disregard for human life. Custer's legacy is complex, but he is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating figures in American history.

Custer's Military Accomplishments

Custer was a gifted military commander. He was a master of cavalry tactics, and he was known for his daring and aggressive leadership. Custer won several major victories in the Civil War, including the Battle of Gettysburg and the Battle of Five Forks.

After the Civil War, Custer was assigned to the Western frontier. He served in the Indian Wars, and he played a major role in the Battle of Little Bighorn. Custer's defeat at Little Bighorn was a major setback for the U.S. Army, but it also cemented his reputation as a fearless and determined commander.

Custer's Personal Life

Custer was a complex and enigmatic figure. He was a brilliant military commander, but he was also known for his recklessness and his disregard for human life. Custer was also a devoted husband and father.

Custer married Elizabeth Bacon in 1864. The couple had three children: Armstrong, Boston, and Tom. Custer was a devoted husband and father, and he often wrote letters to his wife and children when he was away on campaign.

Custer's Legacy

Custer is a controversial figure in American history. He was a brilliant military commander, but he was also known for his recklessness and his disregard for human life. Custer's legacy is complex, but he is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating figures in American history.

Custer's death at the Battle of Little Bighorn marked the end of the Indian Wars, and it paved the way for the settlement of the American West. Custer's legacy is still debated today, but he remains a symbol of the American frontier.