(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. Full seated view wearing slouch hat with two stars visible on the front, his custom made major general's coat, tie, gauntlets, and high leather cavalry boots. Imprint on the front mount, Brady, Washington. Backmark: Brady's National Photographic Portrait Galleries, No. 352 Pennsylvania Av., Washington, D.C. & Broadway & Tenth St., New York. Light age toning and soiling, and minor wear. This view was taken on May 23, 1865, at Brady's Gallery in Washington, D.C., on the day of the Grand Review.