(1839-1876) Graduated from West Point in 1861. He was destined to become one of the most celebrated, yet controversial figures in all of American military history. Custer was brave, dashing and enterprising. He served on the staffs of Generals George B. McClellan and Alfred Pleasanton until the spring of 1863, distinguishing himself on dozens of occasions. On June 29, 1863, he jumped rank from 1st Lieutenant to Brigadier General and was assigned command of a cavalry brigade under Gen. H. Judson Kilpatrick which he led with distinction in the Gettysburg campaign. From then until the end of the war he fought with the utmost distinction in all of the cavalry battles of the Army of the Potomac. Custer became a famous Indian fighter in the post war U. S. Army and was massacred with his entire command of the 7th U.S. Cavalry on June 25, 1876, at the battle of the Little Big Horn.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. Half view pose wearing double breasted frock coat with rank of brigadier general. Corners of the card mount are minutely trimmed. No backmark. Very nice image. This view was taken on or about February 15, 1864, at Brady's Gallery, in Washington, D.C.