George Armstrong Custer
General George Armstrong Custer is one of the most recognizable figures from the Civil War era. Some of his most historic moments occurred here in the Black Hills, making him an important piece of South Dakota history.
General George Custer had a wild and rambunctious college career at West Point Military Academy, yet he became a courageous and brave Union leader during the Civil War, leading charges out in front of his troops. After the Civil War, he explored the Dakota Territory, and started the Black Hills gold rush after his men found gold in a nearby river. His most infamous moment however, came at the Battle of Little Big Horn, where in Custer’s last stand, Custer and all 210 of his men were killed.
Early Years
Custer began his life in 1839 in Ohio. After growing up in Monroe, Michigan, Custer attended West Point Military Academy, where he was almost expelled several times. He was known as a trouble maker, graduating dead last of his class in June of 1861.
Civil War
In normal circumstances, Custer would have gotten a pretty awful position after graduating last in his class.; however, the Civil War had just begun, and the Union was desperate for officers. Therefore, Custer was put in charge of a cavalry unit called the Michigan Wolverines as a 2nd lieutenant. During this time, Custer led brave missions at the 1st Battle of Bull Run and Gettysburg. Custer led from the front often wearing bright colors, saying he wanted his men to be able to look up amid battle and be inspired by his bravery. His efforts eventually got him promoted to General Brigadier, making him the youngest general in the Army ate the age of twenty-three.
South Dakota
After the war, in 1874, Custer led the 7th cavalry into the Dakota Territory, looking for a Southwest passage through the territory, a suitable location for a fort, and gold. When they arrived in the Black Hills, they became the first Americans to climb Black Elk Peak. They eventually stopped at Agnes Park, near present-day Custer, South Dakota. While panning in the river, he and his men discovered gold. This prompted Custer to write back to his superiors that “No doubt there are riches to be had.” Thus, began the Black Hills gold rush.
Battle of Little Bighorn
Shortly Custer finished exploring, the U.S. wanted to expand west. However, the Lakota and Cheyenne stood in the way. Custer was sent to Montana to crush the Lakota once and for all. On June 25th, 1876, in the Battle of Little Bighorn, Custer led one of three forces against the Lakota. However, the Lakota, under the leadership of Native American leaders Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, had other plans. In Custer’s Last Stand, General Custer and all 210 of his men were killed.
Today
Today, the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument stands in remembrance of both the Native Americans and the 7th Calvary. Custer’s legacy lives on in the city of Custer, South Dakota and Custer State Park.
Works Cited
“George Custer.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 11 July 2016, www.biography.com/people/george-custer-9264128. Accessed 20 Feb. 2017.
“History & Culture.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior,
www.nps.gov/libi/learn/historyculture/index.htm. Accessed 12 Mar. 2017.
“The Black Hills Expedition of 1874.” Big Sky Words, Big Sky Words, 25 Feb. 2014, www.bigskywords.com/montana-blog/the-black-hills-expedition-of-1874. Accessed 20 Feb. 2017.
General George Armstrong Custer is one of the most recognizable figures from the Civil War era. Some of his most historic moments occurred here in the Black Hills, making him an important piece of South Dakota history.
General George Custer had a wild and rambunctious college career at West Point Military Academy, yet he became a courageous and brave Union leader during the Civil War, leading charges out in front of his troops. After the Civil War, he explored the Dakota Territory, and started the Black Hills gold rush after his men found gold in a nearby river. His most infamous moment however, came at the Battle of Little Big Horn, where in Custer’s last stand, Custer and all 210 of his men were killed.
Early Years
Custer began his life in 1839 in Ohio. After growing up in Monroe, Michigan, Custer attended West Point Military Academy, where he was almost expelled several times. He was known as a trouble maker, graduating dead last of his class in June of 1861.
Civil War
In normal circumstances, Custer would have gotten a pretty awful position after graduating last in his class.; however, the Civil War had just begun, and the Union was desperate for officers. Therefore, Custer was put in charge of a cavalry unit called the Michigan Wolverines as a 2nd lieutenant. During this time, Custer led brave missions at the 1st Battle of Bull Run and Gettysburg. Custer led from the front often wearing bright colors, saying he wanted his men to be able to look up amid battle and be inspired by his bravery. His efforts eventually got him promoted to General Brigadier, making him the youngest general in the Army ate the age of twenty-three.
South Dakota
After the war, in 1874, Custer led the 7th cavalry into the Dakota Territory, looking for a Southwest passage through the territory, a suitable location for a fort, and gold. When they arrived in the Black Hills, they became the first Americans to climb Black Elk Peak. They eventually stopped at Agnes Park, near present-day Custer, South Dakota. While panning in the river, he and his men discovered gold. This prompted Custer to write back to his superiors that “No doubt there are riches to be had.” Thus, began the Black Hills gold rush.
Battle of Little Bighorn
Shortly Custer finished exploring, the U.S. wanted to expand west. However, the Lakota and Cheyenne stood in the way. Custer was sent to Montana to crush the Lakota once and for all. On June 25th, 1876, in the Battle of Little Bighorn, Custer led one of three forces against the Lakota. However, the Lakota, under the leadership of Native American leaders Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, had other plans. In Custer’s Last Stand, General Custer and all 210 of his men were killed.
Today
Today, the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument stands in remembrance of both the Native Americans and the 7th Calvary. Custer’s legacy lives on in the city of Custer, South Dakota and Custer State Park.
Works Cited
“George Custer.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 11 July 2016, www.biography.com/people/george-custer-9264128. Accessed 20 Feb. 2017.
“History & Culture.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior,
www.nps.gov/libi/learn/historyculture/index.htm. Accessed 12 Mar. 2017.
“The Black Hills Expedition of 1874.” Big Sky Words, Big Sky Words, 25 Feb. 2014, www.bigskywords.com/montana-blog/the-black-hills-expedition-of-1874. Accessed 20 Feb. 2017.