Fun Facts About General Custer

Currently I'm reading James Robbins' The Real Custer: From Boy General to Tragic Hero. I've always been curious about George Armstrong Custer, as he seems to be among those grudgingly added to American history textbooks. He's become a "bad guy" in contemporary culture because of his success on the plains fighting American Indians. Nonetheless, he also played an essential role in Pickett's Charge, keeping Confederates at bay in Gettysburg.

Hero? Villain? My soft spot for him grew when I learned his nickname was Cinnamon. The moniker was a result of the cinnamon-scented hair oils he used at West Point. Older cadets teased him so mercilessly that eventually he decided to shave his head. Then, because his hair was too short to meet regulations, he was stuck wearing wigs for a while.

Poor Custer. His wife, Libbie, did not want to spend time with him because she thought his hair was too pale and he was a tacky dresser. In particular, she found the yellow lining of his coat hideous. It turns out that coat was part of his Union uniform. I guess the federal government is responsible for bad taste…

What about you? Custer: pro or con?