The Battle of Little Bighorn took place on 25 June 1876. Records listed 266 people in the five companies that were under the command of Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer, but six of those individuals have remained unaccounted for since the battle, which is also known as Custer’s Last Stand. They are listed as missing in action, and speculation about what happened to them ranges from desertion prior to the battle to abduction by Sioux or Cheyenne braves. The only known survivor of the 7th Calvary was Comanche, the horse of Captain Myles Keogh.
More facts about George A. Custer:
- Custer was admitted to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1858 and ultimately graduated last in his class. After his success as a Cavalry commander, he was temporarily promoted to the rank of major general during the American Civil War.
- He was present at Appomattox and witnessed the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. After the Civil War, Custer returned to the rank of captain.
- Custer was known by several nicknames during his years of military service. After his temporary appointment to the rank of major general at the age of 23, he was referred to as “The Boy General.” During his Indian War years, he was sometimes known as “Iron Butt,” in reference to his strict discipline and his ability to remain in a saddle for extended periods of time. A less-flattering nickname was “Ringlets,” which was a reference to his curly blond hair and his vanity.
By Malcolm Tatum
, Writer
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.