The Most Desperate Acts of Gallantry: George A. Custer in the Civil War (Emerging Civil War Series)

On June 25, 1876, Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer led the 7th U.S. Cavalry into the valley of the Little Bighorn. By sunset, Custer and five of his companies lay dead--killed in battle against Sioux and Cheyenne warriors. Through the passage of time, Custer's last fight has come to overshadow the rest of his military career, which had its brilliant beginning in the American Civil War. Plucked from obscurity by Maj. Gen. George McClellan, Custer served as a staff officer through the early stages of the war. His star began to rise in late June, 1863, when he catapulted several grades to brigadier general and was given brigade command. Shortly thereafter, at Gettysburg and Buckland Mills, he led his men--the Wolverines--in some of the heaviest cavalry fighting of the Eastern Theater. At Yellow Tavern, Custer's assault broke the enemy line, and one of his troopers mortally wounded the legendary Confederate cavalryman, J.E.B. Stuart. At Trevilian Station, his brigade was nearly destroyed. At Third Winchester, he participated in an epic cavalry charge. Elevated to lead the Third Cavalry Division, Custer played a major role at Tom's Brook and, later, at Appomattox, which ultimately led to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. Historian Daniel T. Davis, a long-time student of George Custer, has spent countless hours walking and studying the battlefields where Custer fought in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. In The Most Desperate Acts of Gallantry, he chronicles the Civil War experiences of one of the most recognized individuals to emerge from that tragic chapter in American history. "Presents Custer's Civil War accomplishments in clear and engaging prose, while its ample images and battle maps place unfamiliar readers in the action." — The Civil War Monitor Through the passage of time, Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer's last fight, the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876, has come to overshadow the rest of his military career, which had its brilliant beginning in the American Civil War. Plucked from obscurity by Maj. Gen. George McClellan, Custer served as a staff officer through the early stages of the war. His star began to rise in late June, 1863, when he catapulted several grades to brigadier general and was given brigade command. Shortly thereafter, at Gettysburg and Buckland Mills, he led his men—the Wolverines—in some of the heaviest cavalry fighting of the Eastern Theater. At Yellow Tavern, Custer's assault broke the enemy line, and one of his troopers mortally wounded the legendary Confederate cavalryman, J.E.B. Stuart. At Trevilian Station, his brigade was nearly destroyed. At Third Winchester, he participated in an epic cavalry charge. Elevated to lead the Third Cavalry Division, Custer played a major role at Tom's Brook and, later, at Appomattox, which ultimately led to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. Historian Daniel T. Davis, a long-time student of George Custer, has spent countless hours walking and studying the battlefields where Custer fought in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. In The Most Desperate Acts of Gallantry , he chronicles the Civil War experiences of one of the most recognized individuals to emerge from that tragic chapter in American history. "A fast-paced study, engaging study." — Journal of the Shenandoah Valley During the Civil War Era George Armstrong Custer Rose To Prominence During The American Civil War When He Was Promoted From Captain To Brigadier General In June, 1863. He Distinguished Himself The Battles Of Gettysburg, Buckland Mills, Yellow Tavern, Tom's Brook And Appomattox. After The War, Custer Led The 7th U.s. Cavalry On The Plains And Met His Fate In At The Little Bighorn Against Sioux And Cheyenne Warriors.--provided By Publisher. Prologue -- First Charge At Catlett's Station -- Fight At New Bridge -- Brothers At War -- Across Beverly Ford -- A New Brigadier -- Buckland Mills -- Facing Stuart At Yellow Tavern -- Trevilian Station -- In The Shenandoah -- Closing The Door At Appomattox -- After The War -- Epilogue -- Maps -- George Custer's Civil War -- Battle Of Gettysburg East Cavalry Field July 3, 1863 -- First Phase Battle Of Gettysburg East Cavalry Field July 3, 1863 -- Final Phase Battle Of Yellow Tavern May 11, 1864 -- Battle Of Trevilian Station Actions June 11, 1864 -- Shenandoah Valley Battle Of Tom's Brook. By Daniel T. Davis. Book Cover Copyright Dedication Table of Contents List of Maps Acknowledgments Forword Prologue Chapter One: First Charge at Catlett’s Station Chapter Two: The Fight at New Bridge Chapter Three: Friends at War Chapter Four: Across Beverly Ford Chapter Five: A New Brigadier Chapter Six: Buckland Mills Chapter Seven: Yellow Tavern Chapter Eight: Trevilian Station Chapter Nine: In the Shenandoah Valley Chapter Ten: Appomattox Chapter Eleven: After the War Epilogue Appendix A: Tom Custer Appendix B: The Courtship and Marriage of Elizabeth and George Armstrong Custer Appendix C: Custer in Memory Appendix D: Officer Remembered Suggested Reading About the Author Chronicles the Civil War experiences of Custer, one of the most recognized individuals to emerge from this tragic chapter in American history.