Now, hombres, thar’s a topic of controversy, so ya all listen closely. The gent did plenty nough ta get himself in trouble on his own without all the things made up an attributed ta him. George Armstrong Custer AIN’T buried here in Custer City, nor anywhar nearby. An the battlefield AIN’T near either. It’s in what’s now called Montana. An he’s buried at West Point after bein dug up from bein buried whar he fell at Last Stand Hill at the Little Big Horn (or Greasy Grass as called by Indians/Native Americans). Course, thar’s still heated controversy over how much of him is actually whar. Seems good ol’ George always created controversy an tended ta rub the military, political, an media power structures the wrong way. Still does.
Custer’s controversial public life got him noticed at West Point whar he didn’t want ta fit in the Army box. He actually didn’t enter because of longin ta be an officer, he didn’t come from a wealthy family an wanted a good education an West Point was free. Controversy started early on, especially with the military tactics bein taught thar. His superior officers an teachers would see him as arrogant, argumentative an headstrong. A noted point of contention was the standard of U.S. Army officers leadin from the rear an sendin orders forward. He refused such thought.
Another point of contention was that Custer hated U.S. policy tawards Indians /Native Americans an it’s well documented. Shortly after enterin West Point, he had written a report critical of that policy.
Custer ended up as bein low man in his class but he did graduate. His personal honor an oath of an officer were very important ta him. He proved that his leadership an tactics worked. Two years later, he was a Major General at age 23 an a Brigadier General by 25, not bad fer a brash, young upstart.
When asked whar his command would be, he said “At the front of my men.” Younger than his other officers an most of his men, he dressed flamboyantly (self-aggrandizement ta his critics), so they knew who he was an whar he was. The Confederates knew too. Three horses (poor critters) were shot from under him an he got shot in the leg as well. Ignoring orders, he was back in the saddle fer a major battle three days later.
Seems high dedication ran in the family. George’s younger brother Tom lied at age 16 ‘bout his age ta enlist an proved himself equally brave, winnin two Congressional Medals of Honor by age 20, the only Union soldier ta so durin that thar war. Both brothers died tagether at the Little Big Horn.
Always make sure ta stop in the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce an Visitors Bureau fer all yer questions an free suggestions; 615 Washington Street (an fer Pete’s sake, don’t rely on Google an other such ‘media thingy’ maps in the Black Hills, those folks ain’t been out here an can tell ya ta turn right inta a rock wall or ravine.)
Take care of yer ride an he’ll take care of ya. Ifn ya wants go lookin fer me, might find me sittin on my favorite library bench enjoyin a cold one, or might not. Adios.
JD