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The illustrious Civil War and Indian fighting career of Thomas Ward Custer has long been overshadowed by the exploits of big brother George. Yet, Tom’s career stands on it’s own merits. Born on March 15, 1845 in New Rumley, Ohio, Tom soon developed a strong bond with older brother George.
In 1857 George was appointed to West Point Military Academy. He graduated four years later, ready to participate in his first Civil War battle at Manassas. Wanting to follow in big brother’s footsteps, Tom tried to enlist himself. But, at the tender age of sixteen, he was sent home. Not deterred he tried again a year later. At the age of seventeen he was sworn in as a private in the 21st Ohio Infantry. In December 1862, Tom met the enemy for the first time at Stones River, Tennessee. Meanwhile older brother George was advancing in leaps and bounds. He was soon the Brigadier General commanding the 3rd Cavalry division of the army of the Shenandoah. George arranged for his brother to be transferred to his regiment, and in October 1864 Tom became the official aide to George as Second Lieutenant in the 6th Michigan Cavalry.
Tom soon won citations for his bravery in the field. On March 2, 1865 he was awarded a citation for his bravery at Waynesboro, Virginia and given a brevet promotion. A month later Tom’s unit ran into a Confederate stronghold in a church building. Tom led his men straight over the Rebel barricade, and single-handedly captured fourteen of the enemy. For this he was to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
Three days later, he was to lead a similar charge. This time, however, a second line of Confederates were waiting. Undeterred by the heavy fire, Tom spurred his horse forward, intent on taking the Confederate flag. Bearing down on the flag bearer, Tom reached for his prize. However, the flag bearer raised his pistol and fired at point blank range. The bullet tore through Tom’s cheek. Still, he managed to kill the Rebel flag bearer and gallop back to his own lines with the flag. Racing back to safety he yelled to his brother, “Armstrong, the damned Rebels have shot me. But I’ve got my flag.” He was intent on returning to the fray and his brother had to arrest him to get him to go to the wounded area. For his heroism on this day, Tom was to receive his second Medal of Honor. Only three other men have been so decorated in the entire history of the medal.
Tom was also breveted to the rank of Major. At war’s end George was given the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and put in charge of the newly formed Seventh Cavalry. Tom joined him. Their first encounter with Indians came in mid 1867 as they chased hostiles through the unforgiving Kansas plains. The marching was long and draining. As men began to desert, George decided to implement a no holds barred policy on desertion. When thirteen men ran off on July 13, George sent out Tom and others to bring them back, telling them that none were to be brought back alive. For this George Custer was to be court martialled and suspended for a period of one year.
In 1868 George returned for the Washita Campaign. When the Seventh rode upon Black Kettle’s village Tom was first lieutenant of Company D – who were assigned to a squadron under command of Captain Louis Hamilton. Hamilton was subsequently killed in the Battle.
After three years of Reconstruction Duty throughout the South, the Seventh was assigned to Fort Abraham Lincoln, near Bismarck, Dakota. Throughout this period some of Tom’s vices came to the fore, most noticeably his drinking, which degenerated into alcoholism. Tom never married. His fiancée, Lulie Burgess, died before the wedding. Tom’s time would be spent with his brother and sister in-law, Elizabeth Bacon Custer.
In 1873, the boredom of Fort life was broken with the Yellowstone Campaign. In a feinting movement reminiscent of the disaster that befell William Fetterman and his men years before, the Sioux tried to trap Custer’s men. Just in time they fell back, but not before four men, including a doctor were cut off and killed. A year later it was reported that a Sioux Warrior named Rain in the Face was at the Standing Rock Agency boasting of killing the four white men. Tom Custer was sent to arrest him. During the actual arrest Tom apparently humiliated Rain in the Face by slapping and hitting him. The warrior subsequently escaped and vowed that he would one day rip out Tom Custer’s heart.
The Seventh Cavalry was a vital part of the 1876 Campaign to defeat the hostile Sioux. They were to be part of a pincer movement under the command of General Alfred Terry. On June 22, Terry ordered Custer south from the Yellowstone River. Then the Seventh Cavalry rode off towards the Valley of the Little Big Horn. Soon the trail of a large village was found. Ignoring the warnings of his scouts George decided to attack. He split his command into three, with Major Marcus Reno to attack the village from the front, while Captain Frederick Benteen scouted the hills to the south. Custer would take Five Companies and attack from the west. What happened from there is a matter of much conjecture. Tom was in charge of Company C who accompanied George and four other Companies It appears that Tom’s Company got caught in a deep ravine by the masses of Indians who swarmed upon them. All were killed.
When the bodies were discovered, it was evident that Tom Custer had been scalped. His body was identified by a tattoo – a flag, the goddess of liberty and the initials T.W.C. The gravediggers buried him alongside his brother.
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