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Custer Victorious: The Civil War Battles of General George Armstrong Custer

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Even people with above-average knowledge of American history usually associate the name Custer with defeat. But what most don't know is that, 11 or 12 years before his last stand at the Little Big Horn, Custer's name was almost synonymous with victory. What made his defeat at the Little Big Horn so shocking was his brilliant record in the Civil War. The Indians did what the Rebels were never able to do. Those who are not specialists in the American Civil War have also been taught that Confederate cavalry was far superior to Union cavalry. While this was usually true in the early years of the war (1861-2), exactly the opposite was true by 1864. And one of the best, if not THE best of the Union cavalry commanders was George Armstrong Custer. Phil Sheridan, no slouch himself, once called Custer "the best man in the Cavalry Corps." One of the youngest generals in the Union army (he graduated from West Point just in time to take part in the first battle of Bull Run as a 2nd lieutenant), Custer took command of a cavalry brigade just in time for the battle of Gettysburg and played an important part in that battle (often ignored). In the fall of 1864 he was promoted to division command and played a crucial role in the Appomattox campaign. Urwin (who is a friend of mine, though we've never met--we've corresponded) presents Custer's little-known Civil War career in very readable prose, and I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Custer, the Civil War, or military history in general

Popular opinion of George Armstrong Custer has changed dramatically through the years. During the Civil War and for decades afterword, he was regarded as a true American Hero. Then sentiment switched, based almost entirely on his death in what has become a politically incorrect battle.

Custer's value in preserving the Union during the Civil War was so profound, General Phil Sheridan presented the table upon which the surrender was signed to Custer's wife and said "...there is scarcely an individual in our service who has contributed more to bring about this desirable result than your gallant husband."

This book relates many accounts of how Custer, arriving upon a battle, could instantly size up the situation and seize the initiative. He inspired his men in battle and when he ordered them to charge he would lead them personally, miraculously escaping the hundreds of bullets fired at him by an enemy who could easily recognize him by his long blonde hair and flamboyant dress. One of his cavalry troopers said, "Under him a man is ashamed to be cowardly. Under HIM our men can achieve wonders."

Following is a quote from the book, about Custer in the battle of Five Forks: " 'We are going to take those works and we are not coming back until we get them!' The Red Ties lunged ahead...Old Curly and his staff in front as always...General Custer's Bugler, Color Bearer, and Orderly...All went down...Miraculously, Custer was untouched by that scything fusillade. Swinging down from his saddle like a stunt rider, he grabbed his fallen guidon without dismounting, swirled it over his head, jammed his spurs into his horse, streaked right up to the enemy, and leaped his charger over the earthworks."

Custer's actions in the Civil War are now allowed to speak for themselves in Urwin's outstanding book. If you are interested in the Civil War and admire personal courage, you will enjoy "Custer Victorious."

This book tells the fascinating story of George Armstrong Custer's Civil War career. The self-confidence of this man, followed by his real accomplishment, is amazing. Prior to reading this book, I was aware of only Custer's battle with Jeb Stuart at Gettysburg. Now I find that Custer met Stuart on numerous occasions and, in fact, it was his brigade that was responsible for Stuart's death at Yellow Tavern. For the life of me, I can't figure out why this epic rivalry between these two great cavalry leaders is not better known.

The bad news is that the writing is merely adequate. The prose is a tad purple and the last chapter, in which the author summarizes his theory that Custer was truly a great military leader, is superfluous in that the author has done a much more convincing job in merely telling the tale. Finally, I might quibble about the title. I almost didn't buy this book because I thought it was an alternative history of Little Big Horn.

We live in an age with a scarcity of heroes. This book presents us a hero in the classic mold. We could do worse than to emulate this man. It is perhaps telling of our times, however, that rather than to acknowledge Custer's heroism, we defame his memory.

A good read. We see a man who seized the moment and became one of the youngest most decorated and honored generals in our country's history. His critics called him "the boy general". Perhaps the most impressive attribute about him was "that when a hero was needed, he saddled up and charged" when no one else would. Like him or not, he liked a good fight and would race the devil himself to get to it first. He stood up and was counted. He pushed himself and the men who rode with him throughout the Virginia country side. In Urwin's accounting, you can almost all but hear the sabers rattle, the canons roar, and the clash of men desperately fighting as Custer led his Michigan Wolverines to glory within the most trying time in American history. For too long this part of the Custer past has been hidden to the casual reader of American history. He was then and is today a real American hero. Though often misunderstood. He lived, he breathed, he loved, and in the end he found that he bled real blood. There is much to know about this man and the foot print he and the 7th Cav left on the dusty pages of American history. Perhaps it is as Evan S. Connal, "Son of Morning Star"said, "If our heroes prove to be immortal then so, perhaps, are we. The man knew no fear, that is what made him so dangerous to his enemies, on both sides. He expected to win every time--he always had, and in his mind at least, he always would.

Being from Michigan, I knew George Custer was a Civil War hero. After reading this book I realized just how important that man was to the Union cause. Although young, Custer was mature beyond his years, his prowess as a calvaryman is second to none. He was loved by his troops and respected by his enemies, some who he bested many times during the Civil War. He was a true leader in every sense of the word. Fearless and steady, always leading his troops into a charge. Ever concerned for the well being of his men. This book is a wonderful piece on a great man who was lost in history by speculation and heresay. Had he his Michigan Calvary Brigade, his beloved "Wolverines" or men like them at Little Big Horn and not 17 and 18 yr old troops as recently discovered, even though being outgunned I am sure there would have been different results for historians to ponder. Rest in Peace Major General Custer, your name is forever cleared.

The author does a good job of describing the many engagements in which Custer was involved, and generally supporting his position that he was an excellent leader of calvary. Since Custer was a very capable general, the reader will be able to learn a great deal about these engagements and the leadership qualities needed to handle small detachments of cavalry in the Civil War era, and will come away with a new appreciation for his abilities and his contributions to the Union victory. (I say "small", because Custer's command was only about 1,200 men for most of the war-- small enough so his personal style of leadership could be most effective.)

Unfortunately, as noted by some other reviewers, the author lets his enthusiasim get away with him, to the detriment of the book and the case he is trying to make. To put it simply, he simply isn't objective enough. For example, he all but states that Custer's cavalry played a decisive role at Gettysburg (which it clearly didn't). On some occasions he uses then-contemporary reports of casualties inflicted, prisoners and guns taken, etc., to proclaim the extent of Custer's victories, when other, more objective documentary evidence proves that his victories, while still impressive, were not quite that overwhelming. Plus, the constant references to "Old Curly", the "Red Ties" and the like give the reader the impression that he is reading a children's book, not a work of scholarship.

If you are interested in the Civil War or in the qualities needed to lead small, mobile forces, this is a worthwhile book-- just be ready to plow through the cheerleading.

Most people think only of Custers last stand at the Little Big Horn. Not many realize that Custer was a brilliant CW general. Dr Urwin corrects this historical oversite wonderfully.

This is a fine work of scholarship on General Custer. It is incorrect to assume with this book that Urwin has a tendency to Custerphilia. If that be so, then may we accuse other historians of Robert E. Leephilia, or Martin Luther Kingphilia, or John F. Kennedyphilia? It is only the truly biased that will attach such a title to an author who is presenting Custer in a just light, rather than anyone else. We don't have to be a contemporary of an historical figure to know the facts and contributions of his life, and Urwin's excellently researched book brings out all the facts surrounding Custer's outstanding leadership as a Civil War soldier and officer, and most importantly, Urwin has finally given Custer his just due as a great American patriot who was so instrumental in preserving what we so easily refer to today as our USA. It was General Phil Sheridan, who stated in an enclosed note to Mrs. Custer when presenting her with Lee's table upon which the surrender was signed, "that there is scarcely an individual in our service who has contributed more to bring about this desirable result than your gallant husband." Urwin brings out all the facts that substantiate this statement; not denigrate or fictionalize it. If you know nothing about Custer, read this book and its preface first, then for an account of The Little Bighorn, read "To Hell With Honor" by Larry Sklenar. As Urwin states, "Custer's critics have been legion, but only the most vehement and biased has ever dared to suggest that his performance in that bloodiest of America's wars was anything less than brilliant."

George Armstrong Custer is known to most people today as the general who led his soldiers to slaughter at the hands of the Indians at the Little Bighorn in Montana. But it was the glory and fame earned as a dashing and courageous Civil War cavalry officer that made that defeat so shocking and controversial. Gregory J.W. Urwin focuses on those Civil War years in this study.

Custer graduated last in his class from West Point in 1861 (he may have been expelled if the army wasn't in desperate need of officers at the time). Assigned to a cavalry regiment, he first saw action at First Bull Run. There and later with McClellan on the Peninsular and then with General Alfred Pleasanton, Custer gained a reputation for bravery and bravado. He especially distinguished himself at Gettysburg and in the Shenandoah Valley with Sheridan in 1864. But perhaps his greatest achievement was the constant pressure he and his troops put on Lee as he retreated toward Appomattox Court House; Lee said it was a major factor in his decision to surrender.

Custer was dashing and fearless in battle - and was not shy about having the spotlight on him. This, of course, breeds jealous enemies as well as cheering supporters (and is one reason why the Little Bighorn debacle was, and remains, so controversial). Urwin goes out of his way to make sure his book has no odor of the academic about it (despite the numerous footnotes and extensive bibliography): he writes in a familiar and totally informal style and describes much of the action in a novelistic way. This makes much of the book a page-turner - a fresh thing for historical writing. A most enjoyable read, and probably the definitive account of Custer in the Civil War - before his experiences on the Plains changed him and ultimately led to his downfall.

this book is valuable as a reference to Custer's Civil War service. At least you will learn in which battles he participated. Whether or not he was the brave hero portrayed is questionable simply because this author is so in love with Custer that everything else is disregarded.

Urwin was only 24 years old when he wrote this book, and it shows. It's almost adolescent in its praise of Custer. He denigrates everyone who criticized Custer during his 7th Cav days. The enlisted men were "trash", the officers "petty and jealous". This is a book written by a young man with a lot to learn.