George Armstrong Custer American cavalry major general Date of Birth: 05.12.1839 Country: USA

Biography of George Armstrong Custer

George Armstrong Custer was an American cavalry officer who became famous for his reckless bravery, impulsive actions, and indifference to losses. He was born into a farming family and after completing school in 1856, he enrolled in the United States Military Academy at West Point. However, he was expelled in 1861 due to the outbreak of the Civil War.

At the age of 23, Custer achieved the rank of brigadier general due to his daring maneuvers, which also led to multiple promotions and demotions during the war. In 1865, he pursued General Robert E. Lee and forced him to surrender, effectively ending the war. After the war and demobilization, Custer joined the regular army as a lieutenant colonel and fought against Native American tribes in the West.

In 1867, Custer participated in General Winfield Hancock's campaign against the Cheyenne and Sioux tribes. That same year, he faced a court-martial and was temporarily relieved of duty for unauthorized absence from Fort Wallace to Fort Riley, where he wanted to visit his wife. In September 1868, Custer was reinstated and assigned to duty again.

On the Washita River, Custer and his cavalry regiment attacked and destroyed the peaceful village of Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle. Many Cheyenne, mostly women and children, were killed in the attack. In 1873, Custer took part in an exploratory expedition in the Yellowstone River area, and the following year, he joined a topographic expedition to Dakota.

Tragically, Custer met his end on June 25, 1876, during an attack on overwhelming forces of Native American tribes under the command of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Custer's detachment was completely routed during the battle.