Where Does He Stand?

George Armstrong Custer was born 180 years ago today.  He died at the age of 36--if you know basic American history, that shouldn't be a surprise.

He was a brevetted general during the Civil War, but gained immortality at the Battle of Little Big Horn, where his cavalry regiment was slaughtered by native Americans.  It may have been the end of his life, but "Custer's Last Stand" was the beginning of his reputation.

Partly due to the tireless work of his wife Libbie, his fame grew and grew.  Books and articles were published about his bravery, and paintings of his Last Stand were widespread.  Mind you, plenty of people felt in his day that his actions at Little Big Horn had been foolish, but their voices weren't enough to overcome those who saw him as a valiant, dashing hero.

But with a rethinking of American history and its troubled relations with Indians, so came a drop in his reputation.  Some might still defend his military actions, but his heroic reputation has taken a beating.  I'm not sure when it started, but it was certainly in full swing by the 1970s.

There are monuments and memorials to him across the nation.  I wonder if they'll be coming down any time soon.