Custer graduated in 1861 at the bottom of his class from the [[United States Military Academy]] at West Point, [[New York]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.historynet.com/west-points-worst-cadet-george-armstrong-custer.htm|title=West Point's Worst Cadet: George Armstrong Custer|author=Duane Schultz|date=February 6, 2020}}</ref> As the Civil War was just starting, trained officers were in immediate demand. He worked closely with General [[George B. McClellan]], his fellow partisan [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] who recognized Custer's abilities as a cavalry leader. At the age of twenty-three, he was made brigadier general of volunteers. He fought in at least sixteen Civil War battles and was present at the surrender of the [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] [[General]] [[Robert E. Lee]]. | Custer graduated in 1861 at the bottom of his class from the [[United States Military Academy]] at West Point, [[New York]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.historynet.com/west-points-worst-cadet-george-armstrong-custer.htm|title=West Point's Worst Cadet: George Armstrong Custer|author=Duane Schultz|date=February 6, 2020}}</ref> As the Civil War was just starting, trained officers were in immediate demand. He worked closely with General [[George B. McClellan]], his fellow partisan [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] who recognized Custer's abilities as a cavalry leader. At the age of twenty-three, he was made brigadier general of volunteers. He fought in at least sixteen Civil War battles and was present at the surrender of the [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] [[General]] [[Robert E. Lee]]. |