# George Armstrong Custer > United States cavalry commander (1839–1876) **Wikidata**: [Q188205](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q188205) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Armstrong_Custer) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/george-armstrong-custer ## Summary George Armstrong Custer was a United States cavalry commander and military officer who served from 1861 until his death in 1876. He is best known for his service as a Union officer during the American Civil War, participating in major battles such as Gettysburg and the Wilderness, and for his role in the American Indian Wars, particularly the Battle of the Little Bighorn. His career concluded with his death at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in June 1876 during the Great Sioux War. ## Biography - **Born:** December 5, 1839 - **Nationality:** United States - **Education:** United States Military Academy - **Known for:** Cavalry command in the American Civil War and the Great Sioux War; dying at the Battle of the Little Bighorn - **Employer(s):** United States Army, 7th U.S. Cavalry - **Field(s):** Military service, Armed forces ## Contributions - **American Civil War Leadership:** Participated in the conflict between the North and the South over the enslavement of African-Americans from 1861 to 1865. He was involved in the First Battle of Bull Run (1861), the Battle of Antietam (1862), the Battle of Chancellorsville (1863), the Battle of Gettysburg (1863), and the Battle of the Wilderness (1864). - **American Indian Wars Campaigns:** Engaged in frontier conflicts between American settlers and Indigenous peoples. In 1868, he led the 7th U.S. Cavalry in an attack on Black Kettle’s Southern Cheyenne at the Battle of Washita River. - **Great Sioux War Command:** Commanded forces during the battles and negotiations between the US and the Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne between 1876 and 1877. This period included the Battle of the Little Bighorn in June 1876. ## FAQs **When was George Armstrong Custer born and when did he die?** George Armstrong Custer was born on December 5, 1839, and died on June 25, 1876. **What specific battles did George Armstrong Custer fight in during the Civil War?** He fought in the First Battle of Bull Run (1861), the Battle of Antietam (1862), the Battle of Chancellorsville (1863), the Battle of Gettysburg (1863), and the Battle of the Wilderness (1864). **What was George Armstrong Custer's role in the American Indian Wars?** He served as a cavalry commander, leading the 7th U.S. Cavalry in attacks such as the Battle of Washita River in 1868 against Black Kettle’s Southern Cheyenne and participating in the Great Sioux War of 1876. **Where did George Armstrong Custer receive his military education?** He was educated at the United States Military Academy, a federal service academy located in West Point, New York. **What geographic locations are named after George Armstrong Custer?** Numerous locations bear his name, including Custer National Forest, Custer State Park, the city of Custer in South Dakota, and Custer Counties in South Dakota, Idaho, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Montana, and Colorado. ## Why They Matter George Armstrong Custer matters as a central figure in the military history of the United States during the turbulent periods of the Civil War and the westward expansion. His actions in the Civil War contributed to the Union effort in major battles that defined the conflict's outcome. His death at the Battle of the Little Bighorn became a symbolic moment in the American Indian Wars, representing the resistance of the Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne against U.S. forces. Furthermore, his legacy is embedded in the American landscape, evidenced by the multitude of counties, parks, and a national forest named in his honor across multiple states. ## Notable For - Serving as a United States cavalry commander throughout the American Civil War (1861–1865). - Participation in five major Civil War battles: Bull Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and the Wilderness. - Leading the 7th U.S. Cavalry at the Battle of Washita River (1868). - Commanding forces during the Great Sioux War of 1876. - Dying at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in June 1876. - Having six counties, one state park, one national forest, and one city named after him in the United States. ## Body ### Early Life and Education George Armstrong Custer was born on December 5, 1839. He pursued a military education, attending the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. This institution served as the foundation for his career as a military officer, which began in 1861. ### American Civil War Service Custer's military career was defined by his service in the American Civil War, a conflict fought between the North and the South from 1861 to 1865 primarily over the enslavement of African-Americans. He served as a cavalry commander and participated in several of the war's most significant engagements: * **First Battle of Bull Run (1861):** The first major land battle of the war. * **Battle of Antietam (1862):** A major battle in 1862. * **Battle of Chancellorsville (1863):** A major battle in 1863. * **Battle of Gettysburg (1863):** A pivotal battle in 1863. * **Battle of the Wilderness (1864):** A battle in 1864. ### American Indian Wars Following the Civil War, Custer continued his service in the American Indian Wars, which consisted of frontier conflicts between American settlers and Indigenous peoples of the Americas. * **Battle of Washita River (1868):** In this battle, the 7th U.S. Cavalry, under Custer's leadership, attacked Black Kettle’s Southern Cheyenne. * **Great Sioux War of 1876:** Custer was involved in the battles and negotiations between the US and the Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne that occurred between 1876 and 1877. ### Battle of the Little Bighorn and Death George Armstrong Custer's military career concluded during the Great Sioux War. He fought in the Battle of the Little Bighorn in June 1876. He died on June 25, 1876, during this engagement. ### Legacy and Namesakes Custer's name remains prominent in the geography of the United States. Several locations were named after him, including: * **Custer National Forest:** A US National Forest located in Montana and South Dakota, established in 1908. * **Custer State Park:** A state park in South Dakota, established in 1912. * **Custer (City):** The county seat of Custer County, South Dakota, established in 1875. * **Custer Counties:** Counties named in his honor exist in six states: South Dakota (est. 1875), Montana (est. 1865), Idaho (est. 1881), Nebraska (est. 1877), Oklahoma (est. 1892), and Colorado (est. 1877). ### Aliases and Identifiers Throughout history and records, he has been referred to by various names, including George Custer, George A. Custer, and General Custer. He is formally identified as a human and a military officer, holding citizenship in the United States. ## References 1. Find a Grave 2. Integrated Authority File 3. Geni.com 4. BnF authorities 5. International Standard Name Identifier 6. MusicBrainz 7. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 8. SNAC 9. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 10. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana 11. GeneaStar 12. Roglo 13. Croatian Encyclopedia 14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 15. Virtual International Authority File 16. CONOR.SI 17. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line 18. Quora 19. LIBRIS. 2011 20. Dizionario di Storia 21. FactGrid 22. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands