CUSTER, GEORGE ARMSTRONG Ameri can cavalry soldier, was born in New Rumley, Ohio. He graduated from West Point in 1861, and was sent at once to the theatre of war in Virginia, joining his regiment as it was going into the first battle of Bull Run. He served afterwards on the staff of Gen. Kearny, and later a daring reconnaissance on the Chickahominy river brought him to the notice of Gen. McClellan, the com mander-in-chief, to whose staff he was promptly attached. When McClellan was relieved of his command, Custer returned to his regiment, but early in 1863 was selected as an aide-de-camp by Gen. Pleasonton who promoted him to the rank of brigadier general of volunteers. Custer distinguished himself at the head of the Michigan cavalry brigade in the battle of Gettysburg and served brilliantly through the remaining operations of the cam paign of 1863. When the cavalry corps of the Army of the Po tomac was reorganized under Sheridan in 1864, Custer retained his command and took part in the various actions of the cavalry in the Wilderness and Shenandoah campaigns. He led a division in the brilliant cavalry action called the battle of Woodstock, and took a most conspicuous part in the decisive battle of Cedar creek. In 1865 he accompanied Sheridan on his last great cavalry raid, won the action of Waynesboro, fought bravely at Five Forks, and led the final cavalry charge at Appomattox court house. He emerged as one of the most brilliant cavalry leaders of the Civil War.
In 1866 Custer was made lieutenant colonel of the 7th U.S. cavalry and ordered to Kansas to take part under Gen. Hancock in an expedition against the Cheyenne Indians. A crushing defeat was inflicted upon them at Washita river in November, 1868. After five more leisurely years during which time he wrote My Life on the Plains (1874) Custer and the 7th regiment were ordered against the Sioux in Dakota and Montana. As the advance guard of the troops under Gen. Terry, Custer's force arrived at the junction of Big Horn and Little Big Horn rivers, Montana terri tory, June 24, 1876; the main body was due to join him on the 26th. Unfortunately, the presence of what was judged to be a small force of Indians was reported to the general, and dividing his regiment into three parties he moved forward on the 25th to surround this force. But instead of meeting only a small force of Indians, the regiment was promptly attacked by the full force of the enemy. The flanking columns maintained themselves with difficulty until Terry came up. Custer and 264 men of the centre column rode into the midst of the enemy, and were slaughtered.