George Armstrong Custer, (born December 5, 1839, New Rumley, Ohio, U.S.—died June 25, 1876, Little Bighorn River, Montana Territory), U.S. cavalry officer who distinguished himself in the American Civil War (1861–65) but later led his men to death in one of the most controversial battles in U.S. history, the Battle of the Little Bighorn. George Custer was an American cavalry commander who in 1876 led 210 men to their deaths at the Battle of Little Bighorn. George Armstrong Custer - George Armstrong Custer - Battle of the Little Bighorn: Many of the Indian bands, in their remote and scattered winter camps, likely did not receive these orders and could not have reached the government agencies as whole communities (including women and children) if they had. 249, citing United States Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point, Orange County, New York, USA ; Maintained by Find A Grave . He gained further fame for … Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed ), memorial page for George Armstrong Custer (5 Dec 1839–25 Jun 1876), Find a Grave Memorial no. George Armstrong Custer was a U.S. military officer and commander who rose to fame as a young officer during the American Civil War. George Armstrong Custer (December 5, 1839 – June 25, 1876) was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. George Armstrong Custer was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the Civil War and the Indian Wars.In the Civil War, he developed a strong reputation and when it was over, was dispatched to the west to fight in the Indian Wars.. His disastrous final battle overshadowed his prior achievements.