Born New Rumley, Ohio
In June 1861, George Armstrong Custer graduated last in his West Point class of thirty-four. Never a bookish soldier, Custer was keen to wield a sword in the Civil War, in which he served from beginning to end, from Manassas to Appomattox. Fearless and fortunate, Custer made the most of every opportunity of engaging the enemy. Promotions followed quickly, and at age twenty-three he became the youngest Union officer to wear a general's star. Before the war was over, he was donning a pair of stars and was commanding the Third Division of Philip Sheridan's cavalry corps. In the days just before Lee's surrender, it was Custer's men who played a supporting role in blocking the South's retreat near Appomattox. One of the white surrender flags was even presented to Custer himself.
