Originally posted by PonderableHe seemed content with his class rank, and almost seemed proud of it. He told one classmate that there were only two positions in a class worth noting, and since he was not interested in the 'head,' he had aspired to the 'foot'." James Donovan, A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn: The Last Great Battle of the American West (2008), 43.
So West Point is said to be the elite officers school in the USA. What has Custer and his performance to do with graduating there?
Originally posted by WulebgrAnd for every arrow he got that fateful day, he deserved 20 more.
He seemed content with his class rank, and almost seemed proud of it. He told one classmate that there were only two positions in a class worth noting, and since he was not interested in the 'head,' he had aspired to the 'foot'." James Donovan, A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn: The Last Great Battle of the American West (2008), 43.
Originally posted by Dr StrangeloveSo do we have any other signifactnt military leader who had graduated last in their class?
......graduated last in his class at West Point.
No wonder.π²π²π²
Btw: given that most officers never raise above LtCol, Custer made a good career and overtook several "better ranked" comrades.
Originally posted by Dr StrangeloveRead a bit before condemning him. Custer was opposed to the Grant administrations treatment of Indians, even spoke out against it and put his career at risk.
......graduated last in his class at West Point.
No wonder.π²π²π²
By the way, he was a LtCol, not a general. He was never a regular army general. During the civil war, he went from 1st Lt to general by accepting an appointment in a state volunteer militia, not the same thing as regular army. After the war he accepted a commission in the regular army as a captain, later became LTC
Originally posted by Sam The ShamIn fact the article in the (German) Wikipedia is quite nice to read and highlights several interesting aspects of his personality.
Read a bit before condemning him. Custer was opposed to the Grant administrations treatment of Indians, even spoke out against it and put his career at risk.
By the way, he was a LtCol, not a general. He was never a regular army general. During the civil war, he went from 1st Lt to general by accepting an appointment in a state volunteer militia, not ...[text shortened]... army. After the war he accepted a commission in the regular army as a captain, later became LTC
I remember that tehre has been a dsicssuin about the merits of Patton as General based on the episode, where he slapped a soldier.
It seems that some people take one eopisode to declare someone the worst...