George Custer Facts.

Buffalo Bill show poster, 1899. Courier Litho. Co. Buffalo, NY. Library of Congress, USA.

In our society, is a very noticeable fact the extreme admiration caused by some celebrities. It seems as if we humans need to create worshipping objects. But as a consequence, this often leads to an "almost sickly" myths factory. For the same reason, it should not be surprising that in ancient times, men always exhultated their heroes and their feats. It is still happening nowadays, more than ever! An obvious example of this, is before our very eyes: the way many people follow their sports or artists idols´ performances. Besides, is clear the induction of this behavior, exerted by some interested groups, such as advertising agencies and even by politicians... they often make use of those kind of "living myths", as a tool to control the masses´ will.



Some periods of history has been specially fertile to create such kind of myths and legends. They were almost always based on real events. Between the XVIII and XIX Centuries, there ocurred so many trascendental changes in all the countries, from Canada to Argentina... and they provided a fertile soil to idealize special persons. 

Crossing the frozen Mississipi. By: Carl C. Christensen, ca. 1878. Brigham Young University Museum of Art.

Let´s see the United States of America... those were turbulent years indeed. It was such a puzzle whose pieces were only begining to assemble. From the thirteen eastern colonies, it started to grow as far as the Pacific Coast and the Gulf of Mexico. Many people had to fall during that process, and even a bloody civil war should occur. Also, the original inhabitants would be put aside, as an "out of control" expansionism left many wounds, which never healed. 

Fort Sumter´s bombing, Charleston Harbor, 1861. Currier & Ives Publisher. Library of Congress, USA.
This assault was the Civil War begining.

The American Civil War and the conquest of the West were a favorable landscape for this kind of characters. Many shone and left their traces, although most of them bloomed only for a day. On those times was born and began to grow a man´s legend. His courage and boldness earned him a high reputation, but at the same time he aroused controversy, due to his personality and behavior.  His name was George A. Custer, admired by many and despised by others, there was no middle ground for him! 

An inmigrant descendant, he came into the world in a little village from Ohio, in 1839. Unless he was a mischievous boy, he managed to get a proper education. He worked to pay for his studies. But a life as a school teacher, or a future as a priest, by no means fitted well with that flamboyant, and without any doubt, bold and irreverent personality. Maybe his parents estimulated him to join the army, hoping to see their rebel son on the right track. He entered in West Point, and almost by a whim of fate, he could graduate... the last in his class, in 1861. His misbehavior and poor academic performance, kept him on the verge of an ejection while he stayed there. But the Civil War bursting made his class graduate one year earlier. As an almost incredible irony from life, when he turned back there, was covered of military honors.

Cadet George A. Custer, at West Point, ca. 1859. {{PD-US}}

From the first moment, George Custer turned out to be one of those predestinated, chosen by fame. His eccentricity and manners, always drew attention. But one thing resulted undeniable, his courage and audacity were bordering on the recklessness... there were many stories about his daring nature. That behavior earned him a great respect between the troops, and some high rank officers suported his quick promotion. Despite being so young (23), he became brigadier general*, during that terrible fratricidal war. Nonetheless, at the same time he also gained the envy and hate from other persons.

* Was one of his brevet promotions.

Yet, what could seem to be only boldness and a touch of insanity, in great manner was the product of his fine militar instinct. He only needed to take a brief look to the battlefield and the enemy movements, to produce one of his frenetic trademark charges. Without hesitation, he exposed his life in every combat, the same as any other soldier. Later, not lacking of sense of humor, and surely with some false modesty he gave part of the credit to his good luck...

Brevet Major General George Armstrong Custer, between 1860-65. Library of Congress, USA.

According to his detractors, Custer was simply a fame addict: he would have done anything to bright. But, was an undisputed fact that his ascending career had been the result of his capacity and efforts. In current language, he had become a "mediatic celebrity"... his personal appearance and attire were showy. Also he wrote and attended press reporters. And politics always resulted very attractive to him, there is no doubt! 

Battle of Gettysburg, by Thure de Thulstrup, L. Prang and Co. 1887. Restored by Adam Cuerden. Library of Congress, USA

His outstanding performance during the Civil War was sealed at Gettysburg. It was a terrible battle and, as many opined, it became a real turning point on that conflict. On July 3rd of 1863, he not only managed to hold off a dangerous charge from Robert E. Lee´s forces (who was a General with an invincibility halo). Ahead of the 1st Cavalry Regiment from Michigan, Custer fought hand to hand and smashed the enemy when the battle was still undecided. Many of his men gave their lives on that glorious field and naturally, as a consequence, his prestige then soared to the clouds.

George A. Custer and his wife, Elizabeth Bacon-Custer, between 1860-65.
By Mathew Brady. Library of Congress, USA {{PD-US}}

In February 1864, the brave soldier stopped for a while, to marry Elizabeth Bacon (Libbie Custer). They made an enchanting couple, unless he cheated her some time later. Yet, their love and cozy memories were nicely expressed on her books. She wrote about the life and experiences they shared, so helping to keep alive the fame and the legend of her husband, for a long time.

General Robert E. Lee, by Julian Vannerson. Congress Library, USA
{{PD-US}}

War would continue for almost two years. Custer incorporated to the Army of the Potomac, under the command of Major General Philip Sheridan, in 1864. Untiring, he leaded his cavalry corps in the decisive campaings and battles of those days. Any loss never seemed to affect his character. In the spring of 1865, the Southern forces finally collapsed and General Lee began his retreat, pursued by the Union Army. After some clashes, in which Custer again stood out... he had the honor to receive the truce flag from the Confederate Army. Also, he witnessed the surrender ceremony at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, on April 9th, 1865. 

General Robert E. Lee surrenders, Appomattox, Court House, Virginia 1865. By Thomas Nast.
At Granger Historical Picture Archive.

Although Custer was promoted to Brigadier General and Major General of the U.S. Army, it had no effect when the war ended. Necessarily, he had to return to his grade into the Regular Army (1866). But all his efforts and glory days, at least received a more than symbolic recognition. General Sheridan sent him the table upon which, Grant and Lee had signed the surrender at Appomattox... and also sent a kind note for his wife Libbie:

"Permit me to say, Madam, that there is scarcely an individual in our service, who has contributed more to bring this about, than your very gallant husband". 

General Philip Sheridan, 1860-65. By Mathew Brady.
Restored by PawelMM and Orionist. {{PD-US}}

Custer´s life, looks like a two acts drama: at the end of the Civil War, he began a new stage... Turning back to a lower military rank resulted obviously unacceptable! So he should think about his future possibilities, among them was the political career. By that time, he also had a proposal to go to Mexico, to support the rebel forces against the Emperor Maximilian I, but the U.S. Goverment would block this. At the end, the course of events finally guided him to the lonely western prairies and mountains. And he had a higher military rank: Liutenant Colonel of the 7th Cavalry Regiment.

The Black Hills, South Dakota, USA. Photo: Beth Steinhouer, at Black Hills National Forest.

In those solitudes, George Custer finally could find with himself. Then, he had to face a tough dilemma: was he a real heroe or a lousy villain? Since that moment, everything he did in the past seemed worthless. At the end of the road, he managed to find out the high price he should pay for fame and glory... was his own life, and he paid for it!