Who Was Thomas Custer? by bmac62
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Description
Back to the cemetery for a tale of two famous brothers.
Most Americans old enough to have studied a little American history know the name George Custer. George graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1861. Promotions came to him like rain during the Civil War (1861-1865) until he became the youngest Brigadier General in the US Army. On June 25, 1876 his name became forever etched in history when he led the US Seventh Cavalry into an ill advised attack onto a large Sioux Indian Encampment. Custer had 600 mounted cavalrymen, but there were more than 8,000 Sioux Indians, 1800 of whom were warriors. There were many reasons for Custer's defeat but one surprising reason was the Indians were armed with more modern rifles and are acknowledged to have been more highly trained marksmen. The fatal outcome became immortalized in American frontier lore as, Custer's Last Stand at the Battle of The Little Bighorn.
Tom Custer, George's younger brother, whose tomb stone today stands in the Fort Leavenworth post cemetery, is famous in military history circles for having been the recipient of two Congressional Medals of Honor during the Civil War. Only six men have ever achieved this almost unheard of distinction. It is only awarded for heroism above and beyond the call of duty. Eleven years after the Civil War, Tom died with his brother at the Little Bighorn.
Tom must have been a character in his own right. Here are two links that will give you a glimpse into his life. If you only have time for one, follow the first link.
1. Tom Custer, George Custer's lesser-known, poker-bluffing brother
2. Tom Custer's military biography, Little Bighorn and other battles detailed
I never knew about Tom's poker playing style until I prepared these notes.
Thanks for stopping by. As always, I look forward to your comments.
Bill :)
Comments (26)
mostud
The Custer brothers deserved their demise, considering the atrocities they perpetrated against the Sioux Nation
Kaartijer
Great shots and postwork, Bill! Also thanks for the history lesson... didn't know about that battle of The Little Bighorn.
moonrancher
Great presentation and interesting story. The stone looks almost transparent, which makes me wonder, maybe you're showing off more of your ever-advancing Photoshop skills? Whatever the trick of the eye-- cleverly done!
durleybeachbum
Very clever image, Bill and interesting info!
fredster66
That is some nice postwork... very good Bill!
skipper62
Great shot. Interesting historical data also. Salute.
debbielove
Interesting tale and another great shot. I must add that I love the reflections in this one. Your stone shots inspire me to a picture of our well person's stone! Rob.
kenmo
I love history.... and this is very enlightening...!!!
kansas
Great shot. Interesting bit of history too. Thanks.
drace68
Did not know, Bill, thanks. I see the cemetery managers gave him a special place.
Richardphotos
excellent job on layering post work. the name Custer has been portrayed many times in movies as not being the brightest chip in the wood pile.he may have been intelligent but lacking common sense but an over achiever of arrogance
CavalierLady
Besides being very nicely framed between the gateposts in front of a cemetery that has the same beauty at Arlington, (nice post work there), the history you present is very interesting! Having picked up my husband's southern pride, I still find it somewhat sad that after "The Reconstruction" after the Civil War, Congress never chose to honor any of the Brave Boys in Gray with a Medal of Honor. Well, how could they... they were traitors in the eyes of the US Govt. Still, there were many that were deserving of that hallowed honor.
proteus2
Thanks man ! Didn't know he had died in LBH -------------------- "We've seen the enemy and they are ours" !! The universal joke of every military commander... P
PD154
Excellence Bill nice work and thanks for the Info.
lil_sizzler
Have never heard of the younger Custer brother. They may be heros or not just depends on who you ask. There are numberless of atrocities committed in war time. Does the end justify the means? I don't know. Thanks much for the history lesson.
goodoleboy
Superlative DOF, clarity, colors, detail and lighting in this image, Bill! Right on with the POV! I notice the tombstone is somewhat transparent. Either it's made of some kind of glass or this is some clever manipulation via Photoshop. And, not only did I not know that George Armstrong Custer had a brother, I never even knew that he also fought and died at the Little Big Horn. Incidentally, how about Major Reno?
npauling
I have heard of George of course, but not Tom, so thank you for that piece of history. I like the angle you have taken this at.
LovelyPoetess
Thanks for the history lesson, nice shot too. : )
dbrv6
Great capture and well presented! I to had never heard of his brother and did not know he was with him there. Thanks!
MikeB
very nice presentation, good post processing, the effect is sutle yet powerful, love the story as it really helps complete the picture! well done
THROBBE
Great history and post work Bill!
Buffalo1
Excellent postwork here, Bill. It's a very creative montage and deserves to be in a book about the Custer brothers or Fort Leavenworth. The Custer family took it on the chin at Little Big Horn with brothers George, Tom, Boston, brother in law Lt. James Calhoun, and nephew Henry "Autie" Reed all being killed due to "Custer's luck" finally running out. Got a pic of the battlefield in my gallery if anyone is interested. http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=1143233&member
weesel
Not to denigrate Tom's accomplishments, but it is worth noting that the MOH was introduced during the Civil War and the grounds for awarding it differed from time to time. Sometimes it was awarded for re-enlisting. Only much later did the conditions for its awarding begin to resemble what most people now associate with the medal. Also worth noting that Congress, in its infinite wisdom, retracted a number of MOH awards as the conditions changed to become more stringent. Congress giveth; Congress taketh away. [Congress su__eth in general.} Concur. Both Custers got what they asked for at LBH.
bronwyn_lea
I know the battle but did not know that Tom Custer was there also. Great photo and thank you for the history. I love your historical pictures.
mermaid
interesting combination in the image, Bill, and thanks for the historic information
auntietk
I don't know how I missed this. What a wonderful image, and your history lesson is A-1, as usual. Thanks for mentioning this (albeit in another context), 'cause I would have hated to have never seen it!