The best Mustache in the West - George Armstrong Custer

George Custer is famous for many things. Custer’s Last Stand most likely comes to mind. The Battle of Bull Run (the first one). He was a very effective Cavalry Commander. He was very influential during the Civil War. Unfortunately, he lives in infamy for his defeat at Little Bighorn. This is most unfortunate for his glorious mustache.

I mean, look at that thing!

The glory of this particular piece of facial hair most likely did not appear during Custer’s childhood. This is why little is known about that period in his life. He was born in New Rumley, Ohio and spent much of his childhood in Michigan with his sister. After he graduated high school, he immediately went to West Point. Unfortunately, he did not get along well with West Point. He was not a good student, and was naturally rebellious. He famously graduated last in his class, in 1861.

Note the lack of mustache during his non-successful years. This particular photo was taken as a cadet at West Point.

An un-mustached Custer was almost court-martialled in the days following his graduation from West Point. Luckily for him, the Civil War was in full swing, and the Union needed as many officers as they could get. Custer was quickly ushered into the war. He also quickly began growing a mustache.

1862, with James B. Washington

The bushier his mustache became, the more accolades he began to collect. His first battle was the Battle of Bull Run, and the press lauded him for his brilliance with the cavalry, and for being stylish (he wore bright red neckties on the battlefield.) Custer and his cavalry were influential in forcing General Robert E. Lee into surrender at Appomattox in 1865.

Unfortunately, all of these achievements in his career would be overshadowed. I’m sure you have all heard of the Battle of Little Bighorn. On June 25 1876 Custer overestimated the power of the mustache. He ordered the 7^th Cavalry to attack a large Lakota village. The results were devastating. Sitting Bull took advantage of Custer’s fatal mistake: Custer had split his men into 3 units. After the dust settled, all of Custer’s men were killed. The mustache simply wasn’t powerful enough.

RIP Mustache

Source: http://www.biography.com/people/george-custer-9264128#young-hero

http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/a_c/custer.htm