A&E Biography: George Armstrong Custer - America's Golden Cavalier

From his Civil War triumphs to the fateful battle that sealed his place in history, this is the tumultuous tale of one of America's truly mythic figures. He came to fame as the youngest general in the Union Army, leading a pivotal charge at Gettysburg. He earned a place in history for his ill-fated command at the battle of the Little Big Horn. George Armstrong Custer is one of America's truly mythic figures a compelling figure whose name is synonymous with defeat, yet whose life was marked by towering accomplishments. BIOGRAPHY. unravels the truth from the legend in this compelling portrait. Excerpts from Custer's journals and letters tell of his remarkable rise through the ranks of the Union Army during the Civil War, and his re-invention as an Indian fighter afterwards. Leading scholars explore his critical relationship with his wife and reveal how she helped turn her husband into an American legend after his death. And period accounts and artifacts help bring the historic "Last Stand" to life. GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER is a probing, insightful look at the life, legacy and legend of one of America's most compelling, tragic figures.

This episode of the BIOGRAPHY series explores the personal life and military career of George Armstrong Custer--from his success as a Union general to his defeat in the Indian Wars--through excerpts from his letters and journals coupled with expert commentary from scholars and historians.