NOV 1: Another Custer Brother
George and Tom Custer get a new, little brother, Boston, born on Oct. 31, 1848.
OCT 31: Custer in Costume
George A. Custer dressed in costume as a Quaker Peace Commissioner in this 1875 photo. Sitting next to him is Custer’s sister, Margaret Custer Calhoun.
OCT 25: Pony Express’ Final Ride
Not even Charlton Heston can save the Pony Express from extinction in October 1861.
OCT 24: GAC II is Born
George Custer’s younger brother, Nevin, names his son, born on Oct. 24, 1864, after the late military hero.
OCT 23: Transcontinental Telegraph Nears Completion
Work on the first transcontinental telegraph line, the brainchild of Western Union’s Hiram Sibley, was nearing completion this week in 1861.
OCT 22: Medicine Lodge Treaty Negotiations
Missouri Senator John Brooks Henderson leads the U.S. government in negotiations with multiple Indian tribes over the Medicine Lodge Treaty on Oct. 21-28, 1867.
OCT 21: Early Crossing of Continental Divide
The first group of European-Americans to cross the Continental Divide on Oct. 21, 1812, carry tragic news about the crew of the fur-trading ship Tonquin.
OCT 20: Michigan Cavalry Reunites
Members of Michigan’s Cavalry Brigade from the Civil War reunite for the first time in Detroit in October 1869.
OCT 19: Knockout Blow at Cedar Creek
On Oct. 19, 1864, Confederate soldiers led by Lt. General Jubal Early got the jump on Union troops in an early morning attack at Cedar Creek in Virginia. But a late afternoon charge by George A. Custer and Union cavalrymen turned the tide.
OCT 18: Custer Movies: Take Two
In our second look at movies made about George Armstrong Custer, director Raoul Walsh’s ‘They Died With Their Boots On’ came in at a hefty 2 hours, 20 minutes.
OCT 17: Relocating in Texas
George A. Custer spent much of 1865 in the Lone Star State as the highest-ranking military officer in Texas.
OCT 16: New Home at Ft. Riley
After catching the play, ‘Rosedale,’ featuring actor Lawrence Barrett, in St. Louis, Libbie and George Custer head for their new Army home at Fort Riley, Kansas.
OCT 15: Art Imitates Life
Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest makes it into another major motion picture, this time as the name given to a medal presented to a villainous colonel in ‘One Battle After Another.’
OCT 14: Michigan in the Civil War
George A. Custer promoted a fierce fighting spirit among Michigan soldiers in the Civil War. The Detroit Historical Society offers a traveling exhibit on contributions made by the state’s fighting men.
OCT 13: Officer Pay
Following his heroics at Gettysburg and promotion to Major General, Joshua Chamberlain’s pay was bumped up to $457 a month ($9,433 in 2025 dollars.) How much did other Union generals make?
OCT 12: Like Father, Like Son (pt. 1)
Western Indian fighter and author Charles King began his career during the Civil War as an orderly for his father, Union Brig. General Rufus King. He was born on Oct. 12, 1844.
OCT 11: Guilty as Charged
On Oct. 11, 1867, an Army court finds Lt. Col. George A. Custer guilty of absence without authorization and unlawful killing of deserters.
OCT 10: Custer Laid to Rest
George Armstrong Custer is laid to rest at West Point Cemetery on Oct. 10, 1877.
OCT 9: The Woodstock Races
Chivalry of olden days lived for a moment on Oct. 9, 1864, as Yankee George A. Custer and Rebel general Thomas Rosser saluted one another prior to initiating a battle. The fight became known as “The Woodstock Races.”
OCT 8: Widows and Orphans
On Oct. 8, 1876, Libbie Custer pens a letter asking creators of a fund supporting widow’s of men killed at Little Bighorn to include the spouses of two officers.

