George Armstrong Custer is often presented as someone who was a showboat - always looking to show off, be recognized, and be in the spotlight. While certain things about him may be used as evidence of this, the person who arguably knew him best seemed to have a different take on the matter.

Following the Civil War, Custer didn't go home as many soldiers did. Instead, he was sent south with the U.S. Army, and later to Texas. After a time of service there, he was permitted to go home to Monroe, Michigan. This would be his first time home following the end of the Civil War.

At this time, Custer received numerous offers in regards to future endeavors. One of them was an appointment of foreign Minister. Mrs. Custer wrote about this offer. She wrote that "I was inwardly very proud, and if I concealed the fact because my husband expressed such horror of inflated people, it was only after violent effort" (Custer, 196). According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, one definition of the word "horror" is "intense aversion or repugnance" ("Horror", def. 1.b). That definition seems to work in this context.

What's strange about this situation is that after reading some presentations about Custer, one would think that he would have greatly enjoyed being offered the role of foreign Minster. Indeed, one might expect such an honor to be the very thing that Custer lived for. And yet, he is described by his wife as having quite the opposite attitude.

Although Custer has often been represented as being a showboat and someone who would have basked in any and all honors bestowed upon him, Mrs. Custer's statement presents her husband as being quite the opposite. Again, this statement comes from someone who arguably knew him best. Perhaps then, the Custer that is so often presented is quite different from the Custer that was.

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About the Author

Tim Kloos is an online advertising professional. He helps clients with their websites, online presence, and online advertising. If you need help with any of these, feel free to contact him via the contact page.

His tech website is clevelandwebdesignplus.com.

He has also written a children's book set in the Old West.