I appeal to you as a soldier to spare me the humiliation of seeing my regiment march to meet the enemy and I not share its dangers.

" General Phillip Sheridan likewise took a harsh view of Custer's final military actions. One year later Custer's remains and those of many of his officers were recovered and sent back east for reinterment in more formal burials. Before leaving Fort Snelling Custer spoke to General Terry's chief engineer Captain Ludlow saying he would "cut loose" from Terry the first chance he got.

His disastrous final battle overshadowed his prior achievements. However with the outbreak of the Civil War all potential officers were needed and Custer was called to serve with the Union Army. He fought in the first major engagement the First Battle of Bull Run.