Born December 5, 1839

New Rumley, Ohio

Died June 25, 1876

Montana

U.S. Army officer

George Armstrong Custer. (Reproduced from the Collections of the Library of Congress.)

Despite his early achievements as the "Boy General," the flamboyant George Armstrong Custer is most remembered for his death.

George Armstrong Custer made a name for himself early. As the youngest general in the Union army during the Civil War (1861–65; a war fought between the Northern and Southern United States over the issue of slavery), he achieved fame as the "Boy General." Custer coveted such fame. He dressed to be noticed, with elaborate uniforms, sometimes made of velvet, and long, curly golden locks. Indians identified him as "Long Hair." Newspapers eagerly reported on his life and adventures. The flamboyant Custer's early fame was well grounded by his abilities in the field, however. He earned his reputation as "the best Cavalry...