Major-General George A. Custer 12 “Tell this chief that if another man of his crosses the river my men will advance” 133 The big Indian was a fair mark, but the bullet must not hit Mary 213 “Here, take that to Captain Benteen, and don’t spare your horse” 289 [Illustration: By Courtesy of The Century Company MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE A. CUSTER From a Photograph by Brady] CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER Famous American soldier and cavalry leader in the Civil War and on Indian campaigns afterward. A loyal citizen, a tender son, a devoted husband. Family name “Autie”; otherwise called Armstrong; by war correspondents styled “the Boy General”; by the soldiers nicknamed “Old Curly,” and “Jack”; entitled by the Indians “the Yellow Hair,” “the Long Hair,” or, in full, “White Chief with the Long Yellow Hair.” Born at New Rumley, Ohio, December 5, 1839. Father: Emmanuel H. Custer, of Maryland. Mother: Maria Ward Kirkpatrick, of Pennsylvania. Spent his boyhood at New Rumley, on the farm, and with his sister at Monroe, Michigan. Educated at New Rumley, at the Stebbins Academy (Monroe) and the Monroe “Seminary,” and at the Hopedale, Ohio, Normal School. Appointed to West Point Military Academy, 1857. Graduates last in his class, 1861. Assigned as second lieutenant, G Company, Second United States Cavalry. Three days after leaving West Point reports for duty with General McDowell’s army, on the morning of the battle of Bull Run. Soon detailed as aide-de-camp and assistant adjutant-general on the staff of General Philip Kearny. Second lieutenant, Fifth United States Cavalry, 1862, under General Stoneman. Serves briefly with the Topographical Engineers, 1862. Appointed aide-de-camp on the staff of General McClellan, June, 1862, with rank of Captain. After McClellan’s removal is appointed first lieutenant, Fifth Cavalry. On waiting orders, at Monroe, winter of 1862–’63, woos and wins his future wife, Elizabeth Bacon. Reports for duty as first lieutenant with M Company, Fifth Cavalry, Army of the Potomac, April, 1863. Appointed aide-de-camp to General Pleasanton, commanding First Division, Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac. June, 1863, at the age of 23 appointed brigadier general of volunteers, in command of the Second Brigade (the “Michigan” Brigade), Third Division, Cavalry Corps, under General Kilpatrick, and distinguishes himself at the battle of Gettysburg. “The boy general with the golden locks.” Slightly wounded at Culpepper, September, 1863.