Why start if with so many negatives and no positives of General Custer?
General Custer was a legendary leader in the Civil War
General Custer was responsible for General Lee being forced to surrender at Appomattox. Custer led his troops in position to cut off Lee’s retreat. They survived the initial Confederate attempt to break through.
Relief infantry then came up and closed off the line of retreat !!!
Lee surrendered on April 9th.
At his surrender, he recognized Custers efforts.
This is a LBH analysis - there’s nothing positive to say about Custer regarding this battle. He wasted over 250 good decent men who could’ve fathered untold numbers of children for our nation.
Custer is a polarizing figure no matter what the truth really is. He’s like Trump. You love him or hate him.
He certainly had his moments during the CW, but most people don’t know what he did at Trevilian Station. That was almost his “last stand” had it not been for Sheridan.
He goofed a lot! And the recurring theme for him which eventually led to his downfall was always - always his failure to reconnoiter the terrain.
He got lucky at Brandy Station, but he helped beat JEB for the first time.
I also think the belief that he saved the day at Gettysburg is way overblown. Pickett’s Charge was over by then anyways.
The Shenandoah campaign was probably his highpoint. Winchester, Cedar Creek - all great points.
But he’ll always be remembered for the LBH.