Custer and The Battle of Little Bighorn

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Introduction

“The Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand and, by the Indians involved, as the Battle of the Greasy Grass, was an armed engagement between combined forces of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho people against the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army. The battle, which occurred on June 25 and 26, 1876 near the Little Bighorn River in eastern Montana Territory, was the most famous action of the Great Sioux War of 1876.”i Was this battle led by a courageous General or a desperate man is search of being seen as an American hero by the eyes of America?

History

George Armstrong Custer was born 5 December 1839 in New Rumley, Ohio. He was the son of a blacksmith with little money, but many children, so he had to move in with his aunt. Custer wanted to become a lawyer but his family couldn’t support him so he joined the Army.ii He was able to attend West Point where he finished last in his class.

Following graduation from West Point, Custer joined the staff of General George B. McClellan. On 3 July 1863, Custer, 23 at the time, was in charge of the Michigan volunteers, he led a charge against the confederates, J.E.B. Stewart to retake the right flank during the battle of Gettysburg. Like all his battles, he led his men from the front. His men respected him and followed his lead. They stopped the confederates in their tracks. It was a glorious victory for Custer and his men. Custer was promoted Brigadier General in the volunteer army. A picture of him was put in Harpers Weekly of him leading his men. This courageous act set the stage for Custer to become famous, with him becoming known as the boy general. During the surrender at Appomatox Court House Lieutena...

... middle of paper ...

...ould be facing. His search for glory led to his fall.

References

Battle of Little Bighorn - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Little_Bighorn

Chris Glennie - http://6dnz.wordpress.com/2011/07/13/5-leadership-lessons-from-the-battle-of-little-bighorn/

Custer and The Battle of Little Bighorn - http://jackiewhiting.net/HonorsUS/NatAm/LitBigHorn.htm

George Custer - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USACWcuster.htm

George Armstrong Custer - http://www.civilwarhome.com/custerbi.htm

George Armstrong Custer - http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/people_custer.html

History of General Custer - http://members.tripod.com/cav_trooper0/rogercooperscavalryremembrance/id7.html

Joseph M. Marshall – The Day the World Ended At Little Bighorn (New York: Viking Penguin, 2006

Nathaniel Philbrick – The Last Stand (New York: Viking Penguin, 2010

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