Then You Hope to Be a Widow
After Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln offered ominous foreshadowing to Elizabeth Custer after she told him she "hoped that her husband always charges."
George Armstrong Custer is known for his last stand at the Little Big Horn. However, his actions at The Battle of Gettysburg are often overshined by the stories of Little Round Top and Pickett's Charge. Nevertheless, Custer's daring maneuvers and fearless leadership played a crucial role in the Union victory at Gettysburg. And they cemented his legacy as one of the war’s most flamboyant and controversial figures.
Early Career and Rise to Fame
George Armstrong Custer was a graduate of West Point, where he finished last in his class of 1861. Despite his academic standing, his charisma, boldness, and tactical acumen quickly distinguished him on the battlefield. Custer's rise was meteoric; by the age of 23, he was a brigadier general. He became known for his signature red necktie and flowing blonde hair. His flamboyant persona made him a standout figure, but his battlefield exploits earned him both admiration and notoriety.
Custer at Gettysburg
On July 3, 1863, the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg, Custer’s moment arrived. The morning saw intense fighting. Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart attempted a flanking maneuver aimed at hitting the Union rear and creating chaos during Pickett’s Charge. Stuart’s goal was to strike the Union supply lines and rear positions, thus complementing the frontal assault on Cemetery Ridge.
Custer's brigade, part of General David Gregg's cavalry division, was tasked with countering Stuart's threat. Near the Rummel Farm, east of Gettysburg, Custer’s 2,000 troopers faced a similarly sized Confederate force. The clash that ensued was one of the largest cavalry engagements of the Civil War.
The Charge at Gettysburg
Custer’s leadership during this engagement showed his typical audacity. As the Confederate cavalry advanced, Custer positioned his men to intercept them. With his saber held high, Custer famously shouted, “Come on, you Wolverines!” as he led a headlong charge into the enemy ranks. The ferocity of Custer’s attack caught the Confederates off guard. So too did the brutal hand-to-hand combat that ensued.
The initial charge did not break the Confederate lines, but Custer’s relentless aggression and repeated assaults wore down Stuart’s forces. Eventually Stuart withdrew. This withdrawal was critical, as it deprived Lee of the cavalry support needed to exploit any potential breakthrough during Pickett’s Charge.
Custer’s Legacy
Custer’s actions at Gettysburg were instrumental in thwarting a major Confederate flanking attempt. They helped to secure the Union position and contributed to the overall victory. His fearless leadership and willingness to lead from the front exemplified his bravery and thirst for action. In the broader context of his career, Gettysburg was a defining moment for Custer.
In the aftermath of the battle, Elizabeth Custer had a brief interaction with President Abraham Lincoln. When she spoke of her husband's actions to him she stated, "I hope he always charges." It is said that Lincoln responded, "...then you hope to be a widow." An ominous foreshadowing of Custer's infamous demise.
Nevertheless, Custer's success at Gettysburg instilled in him tremendous confidence. Now more than ever before he believed in brash and aggressive actions. He believed that under his leadership, his calvary was unbeatable. This confidence and brashness led to his infamous charge and tragic end at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876.
History for the Hurried:
April 17, 1961: A U.S.-backed attempt to overthrow Premier Fidel Castro of Cuba failed disastrously in what became known as the Bay of Pigs fiasco.
April 18, 1906: The San Francisco Earthquake struck at 5:13 a.m., followed by a massive fire from overturned wood stoves and broken gas pipes. The fire raged uncontrollably for three days resulting in the destruction of over 10,000 acres of property and 4,000 lives lost.
Recommended Read:
The Last Stand: Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn - Philbrick