George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer was born in New Rumley, Harrison County, Ohio, on 5th December, 1839. His father, Emanuel Henry Custer (born December 10, 1806-died November 17,1892), was a blacksmith and George's mother was Maria Ward Kirkpatrick Custer (born May 31, 1807-died January 13, 1882). He spent much of his childhood with a half-sister in Monroe, Michigan. The family was poor and when he was ten Custer was forced to live with his aunt in Monroe. While at school he met his future wife, Elizabeth Bacon, the daughter of a judge. Custer did odd jobs for her family, but was never allowed into the house. Custer wanted to become a lawyer but his family could not afford the training so he decided to become a soldier instead. Immediately after high school he enrolled in the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He attended the Military Academy in July 1, 1857 but he was a poor student and he utterly failed to distinguish himself in any positive way. When he finally graduated in June 24, 1861 and was placed 34th out of a class of 34 (called "The Immortals") as the 1966th academy graduate. He had not adjusted well to the rigid discipline and was almost expelled for too many demerits.
On June 29, 1863, upon the recommendation of General Alfred Pleasonton, he was promoted to Brigadier General, U. In February 1864, Custer raided a Confederate camp in a battle known as the Battle of Rio Hill. Custer was one of the first Union officers to observe combat from a balloon. He continued to serve with McClellan until the general was relieved of his command, when Custer returned to duty with his regiment as a lieutenant on March 31, 1863. Promoted to 1st Lieutenant, 5th Cavalry, to rank from July 17, 1862. Inspiring great devotion in the troops he led, he had 11 horses shot under him, but was himself wounded only once. Three days after his graduation from West Point, he was assigned to the Union army as a second lieutenant in the old 2nd Cavalry and arrived at the front during the First Battle of Bull Run. While he made many enemies by his contempt for army regulations and sometimes reckless actions, he was also admired for his courage and boldness in cavalry operations. On February 9, 1864, while on leave, he married Elizabeth Clift Bacon (born April 3, 1842-died April 1, 1933), daughter of Judge Daniel Stanton and Eleanor Sophia Page Bacon in Monroe, Michigan. He was court-martialed and saved from punishment only by the huge need for officers with the outbreak of the Civil War. The combined Union force defeated Stuart. Custer was easily recognized by his blond curly hair, red necktie and lavish, self-designed uniform. His brigade fought at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and under General Philip Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. He distinguished himself at the head of the Michigan cavalry brigade in the Battle of Gettysburg, and frequently did good service in the remaining operations of the campaign of 1863.
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