#americancivilwar

[whencyclopedia]

George Armstrong Custer

George Armstrong Custer (l. 1839-1876) was an officer in the US Army, serving in the cavalry from 1861 to 1865 during the American Civil War and the wars against the Plains Indians 1866-1876. Although he became a widely recognized hero during the Civil War, he is best remembered for his death at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Custer established a reputation for recklessness, courage, and self-promotion early in the Civil War and, by 1863, after the Battle of Gettysburg, was a national hero. He blocked the retreat of General Robert E. Lee (l. 1807-1870) in April 1865 and was present at Appomattox Court House when Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant (l. 1822-1885). After the war, he oversaw Reconstruction in Texas before taking command of the newly formed 7th Cavalry in campaigns against the Native Americans of the West.

He led his troops against the Cheyenne people at the Washita Massacre/Battle of the Washita River in November 1868 and, ignoring the terms of the Treaty of Fort Laramie of 1868, marched his troops into the Black Hills in 1874 where he discovered gold. News of this discovery soon brought more settlers and miners into Sioux and Cheyenne territory, igniting the Great Sioux War of 1876-1877. At the Battle of the Little Bighorn (25-26 June 1876) Custer and his men were slaughtered by Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Sioux warriors under chief Sitting Bull (l. c. 1837-1890). Afterwards, thanks in large part to the efforts of his wife, Elizabeth Bacon "Libbie" Custer (l. 1842-1933), George Armstrong Custer came to be regarded as a great American hero.

His legacy and reputation held until shortly before the Second World War (1939-45) when scholars began challenging the traditional narrative. Today, Custer is a controversial figure, often condemned for his brutality and ruthlessness. Although Custer should certainly be held accountable for his actions, it must also be recognized that he was primarily advancing the genocidal policies of his government which saw the American Indian as an obstacle to progress, civilization, and Manifest Destiny.

Early Years & West Point

George Armstrong Custer was born on 5 December 1839 in New Rumley, Ohio, to Emanuel Henry Custer, a blacksmith, and his second wife, Marie Ward Kirkpatrick. He was named after a minister as his mother hoped this would encourage him to follow that path. He had three older half-siblings from his mother's first marriage and four full siblings, including Thomas and Boston, who would also join the military and die with him in battle.

He was sent to live with his older half-sister and her family in Monroe, Michigan, to attend school and met the girl who would one day become his wife, Elizabeth Clift Bacon. After graduating, he moved to Hopedale, Ohio, and enrolled at the Hopedale Normal College, pursuing a teaching degree. He began his teaching career in Cadiz, Ohio, in 1856 and boarded at the home of the Holland family, where he fell in love with the daughter, Mary Jane Holland. He hoped to marry her but found little opportunity for advancement in Ohio, so he decided to change careers and apply to West Point Military Academy. Scholar Nathaniel Philbrick comments:

He'd been a seventeen-year-old schoolteacher back in Ohio when he applied to his local congressman for an appointment to West Point. Since Custer was a Democrat and the congressman was a Republican, his chances seemed slim at best. However, Custer had fallen in love with a local girl, whose father, hoping to get Custer as far away from his daughter as possible, appears to have done everything he could to persuade the congressman to send the schoolteacher with a roving eye to West Point.

(47)

Custer entered West Point in July 1857 and, before the end of his first session, had earned 27 demerits. By graduation, he had been given more demerits than any of the other cadets in his class. After graduation in June 1861, he faced court martial for failing to break up a fight between cadets but was only reprimanded as the American Civil War was already underway. Many of Custer's classmates had left to fight for the Confederacy and the Union forces were in dire need of trained officers. Custer was commissioned a second lieutenant and sent to drill volunteers in Washington, D.C.

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[readersmagnet]

The Bone Pile Series, a trilogy book about Civil War, explores the mindsets of Yankee and Confederate participants through the eyes of James Hanger and Halbert Paine, highlighting the horrors of slavery, battlefield injuries, and the nation's resilience.

Grab a copy now at https://www.sharontranerbooks.com/ to learn more about the American Civil War.

[1863designs]

- With Gettysburg’s 160th and the 1993 movie’s 30th Anniversary coming up this year, I’d like to take a second and ask you what lines from the movie you’d like to see done! Buford’s “Lovely” and Hood’s “I do this under Protest” are already in the works. I’ll also add if there are any brigades or units that fought at Gettysburg that you’d like to see done let us know! Hood’s Texas Brigade, the Stonewall Brigade, the Bucktails, and the Reserves are all on being worked on now! Comment your requests below and/or in the request box in our story!!! #civilwar #americancivilwar #civilwarart #gettysburg160th #30thanniversary #civilwar160 #gettysburg (at Gettysburg National Military Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CosUeRyuALk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[inspire-by-art]

ABRAHAM LINCOLN 🗽 Eccentric LIFE | FUN & Unusual FACTS 🔥

[beckwith98]

Precious (“In His Sight”)

The novel, “Precious” (In His Sight), tells of the myriad, life-altering U.S. Government-sanctioned and implemented, changes…, societal (1864 – 1887), events, that followed, the conclusion of the American Civil War, that shaped the “Re-United States of America”…

ReadMore: https://www.booksbymarvinblake2.com/precious/

[n5701-inc]

Abraham Lincoln's Election: The Prelude to America's Civil War

The year was 1860, and the United States was a nation on the brink of change. In the midst of political turmoil and mounting tensions, Abraham Lincoln’s election as the 16th President of the United States became the catalyst for one of the most significant events in American history – the American Civil War. In this article, we’ll delve into the circumstances surrounding Lincoln’s election, the…

[actiontourguide]

Embark on a self-guided driving tour through the hallowed grounds of Antietam National Battlefield, a pivotal site in the American Civil War. This immersive tour offers a profound glimpse into a critical chapter of American history amidst the serene landscape of Sharpsburg, Maryland.

[safecallnow]

What Military Action Started the American Civil War?

The Confederate forces fired Fort Sumter in South Carolina’s Charleston Harbor. After 34 hours of artillery fire exchange, Union forces surrendered without casualties.

Read more: https://www.safecallnow.org/what-military-action-started-the-american-civil-war/

[whencyclopedia]

History of Juneteenth

Juneteenth is an annual event celebrating the end of chattel slavery in the United States in commemorating the issuance of General Order No. 3 (which included the line "all slaves are free") in Galveston, Texas on 19 June 1865. In 2021, Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday and is also celebrated outside of the United States.

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[readersmagnet]

The Bone Pile Series, a trilogy that is found on Sharon Traner's "Novelist" website and examines the American Civil War, explores the mindsets of Yankee and Confederate participants through the eyes of James Hanger and Halbert Paine. It highlights the human toll of slavery, battlefield injuries, and the deplorable condition of the citizenry, as well as the nation's tenacity to survive despite its self-induced alienation and destructiveness.

Uncover the untold stories of the Civil War and explore the resilience of a nation through powerful storytelling. Visit https://www.sharontranerbooks.com/ and join the journey today.

[mrglitterati]

Juneteenth is a milestone toward racial equality and acknowledges the brutal history of slavery while celebrating African American resilience.

[bogdanmateias]

The Winner Takes It All

collage

43 x 30 cm

2023

[1863designs]

- The newest addition to our Unit Series, Wilder’s Lightning Brigade!!!! Like the Pioneer Brigade, this unit was the brainchild of General William Rosecrans. The idea behind having a whole brigade of mounted infantry was at first to help deal with Confederate cavalry like John Hunt Morgan by allowing an inafntry unit more mobility by being mounted. Wilders men proved valuable on the battlefield by being able to quickly move from fight to fight much quicker than their on foot counterparts. These men were armed with Spencer’s rifles as well as long handled hatchets giving the brigade another name, the Hatchet Brigade. After Chickamauga the Brigade was split up and it’s regiments converted to Cavalry. Though short lived, Wilders Lightning Brigade gained great fame. Our design features their monument at Chickamauga at its center with lightning bolts making up the border. The regiments of the brigade adorn the center and two crossed hatchets at the bottom pay homage to the brigades other name. Now available at our store! (Link in bio) Shirts will be out soon as well as other units!! #civilwar #civilwarart #americancivilwar #wilderslightningbrigade #wilder #lightning #hatchet #illinois #indiana #chickamauga (at Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpxr0NiOG44/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[superreader30]

#BiggerLong #Slavery #SlavePlantations #JanelleMonae #JoeAlwyn #HarrietTubman #Racism #WilliamStill #BenRoss #StandUp #PerfectWorldPictures #SlaveMasters #MarieBuchanon #LeslieOdomJr #TimGuinee #CynthiaErivo #Slaves #ThomasGarrett #AmericanCivilWar #Racists #GideonBrodess #VanessaBellCalloway #NickBasta #StandUpSong #OmarJDorsey #RitRoss #BlackHistoryMonth #Harriet #SlaveOverseers #ClarkePeters https://www.instagram.com/p/CoqYTMGPo7wPEh3qQxvTNoK85_mGdnWBflHnwg0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[sandyhookhistory]

"That Some Achieve Great Success Is Proof To All That Others Can Achieve It As Well." 214 Years Ago Today - Sunday, February 12th,1809, in a log cabin on Sinking Spring Farm near Hodgenville, Kentucky... Abraham Lincoln, the 16th, and arguably The Greatest, President of The United Statesis born... From the humblest beginnings, a Soldier, Lawyer, Statesman, and President follows. Historically speaking, he is now 54, as the United States rips itself apart in the third year of the Civil War. This portrait if him was taken in 1863, by Alexander Gardner. We'll have more on President Lincoln as we barrel towards the 160th Anniversary of the spring and summer battles of 1863. Happy Birthday, Mr. President. God Bless You. 🇺🇲🇺🇲 ** Please Like & Follow "Sandy Hook History" on Facebook & Instagram for more amazing maritime and military histories of the Garden State and New York Harbor as well as a review of the 80th Anniversary of the Battle Of The Atlantic and World War 2** 🇺🇲🇺🇲 Photo: PubDom #visitmonmouth #newjerseybuzz #thejournalnj #locallivingnj #journeythroughjersey #centraljerseyexists #discovernj #yesnj #newjerseyhistory #newjerseyforyou #sandyhookbeach #sandyhooknj #sandyhookhistory #forthancockhistory #forthancock #abrahamlincoln #lincoln #16thpresident #thegoat #americancivilwar #hodgenville #greatestpresident #logcabin #humblebeginnings #abraham #fourscore #gettysburgaddress #gettysburg #gettysburgpa #emancipationproclamation (at Fort Hancock, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/Colag26rQWu/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=