Custer's paternal ancestors, Paulus and Gertrude Küster, came to the North American English colonies around 1693 from the See more

In order to attend school, Custer lived with an older half-sister and her husband in Monroe, Michigan. Before entering the United States Military … See more

On June 3, 1865, at Sheridan's behest, Major General Custer accepted command of the 2nd Division of Cavalry, Military Division of the … See more

On July 28, 1866, Custer was appointed lieutenant colonel of the newly created 7th Cavalry Regiment, which was headquartered at Fort Riley, Kansas. He served on frontier … See more

Custer was born in New Rumley, Ohio, to Emanuel Henry Custer (1806–1892), a farmer and blacksmith, and his second wife, Marie Ward Kirkpatrick (1807–1882), who was of English … See more

McClellan and Pleasanton
Like the other graduates, Custer was commissioned a second lieutenant; he was also assigned to the 2nd U.S. Cavalry Regiment and tasked with drilling volunteers in Washington, D.C. On July 21, 1861, he was … See more

On February 1, 1866, Major General Custer mustered out of the U.S. volunteer service and took an extended leave of absence until … See more