JULY 10: Mistakes Happen

In this photo from the archives of the Library of Congress, Custer is mis-identified as: “Major General George Armstrong Custer of the 2nd and 5th Army Infantry Regiments in uniform.”

Wrong. Custer was always a Cavalry man.

Upon graduation from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in June 1861, shortly after the start of the Civil War, Custer, noted for his equestrian skills, was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Cavalry Regiment. In April 1862 during the Peninsula Campaign, he was transferred to the 5th U.S. Cavalry Regiment.

During the Reconstruction era, Custer primarily served in the 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment. He was commissioned as lieutenant colonel of the newly formed 7th Cavalry in 1866 and later led it in various campaigns on the Great Plains against Native American tribes.

Maj. General George Armstrong Custer. (Credit: Library of Congress)