In 1861, Cadet George Armstrong Custer (1839–1876) graduated last in his class at West Point. Four years later, when the Civil War ended, he was a major general commanding a division of cavalry.
“Custer Luck,” as some called it, had graced the fortunes of this young officer throughout four years of war. Again and again, he led his men from the front, galloping ahead of them and urging them to attack, always at great personal risk. Though he was wounded once, and though 11 horses were shot out from under him, he seemed to entertain no fear of death and remained very much alive at the war’s end.
