George Armstrong Custer is buried at West Point Cemetery in West Point, New York. His remains were re-interred there several years after his death at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
Custer's Final Resting Place
Following his death in the infamous Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876, Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer was initially interred on the battlefield itself. However, his final resting place was designated to be the historic West Point Cemetery, a site dedicated to honoring fallen military personnel from the United States Military Academy.
The Journey of His Remains
Custer's initial burial was a hasty affair on the remote Montana battlefield. The harsh conditions and the desire to provide a more fitting memorial for officers led to the re-interment of many fallen soldiers.
- Initial Burial (June 1876): Buried on the Little Bighorn Battlefield, alongside other casualties of the 7th Cavalry.
- Re-interment (1877): Starting in 1877, the partial remains of Custer and many of the officers were moved from the battlefield. Custer's remains were specifically re-interred at West Point, New York, a place of significant military history and tradition.
This relocation provided a more permanent and accessible memorial for the revered, albeit controversial, cavalry officer.
Significance of West Point Cemetery
West Point Cemetery is located on the grounds of the United States Military Academy. It serves as the final resting place for many distinguished figures in American military history, including generals, Medal of Honor recipients, and Academy superintendents. Custer himself was an alumnus of West Point, having graduated in 1861. His re-interment there cemented his place among other notable military figures.
For more information on the cemetery, you can visit the official West Point Cemetery website.
Summary of Burial Locations
| Event | Location | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Burial | Little Bighorn Battlefield, MT | June 27-28, 1876 | Hasty grave on the battlefield. |
| Final Re-interment | West Point Cemetery, West Point, NY | October 10, 1877 | Permanent burial site, chosen due to his ties to West Point. |
Remembering Custer
While Custer's remains rest at West Point, the site of the Battle of the Little Bighorn still holds significant historical importance. In 1881, a granite memorial was erected on Last Stand Hill by the War Department, marking the approximate location where Custer and many of his men made their final stand. This memorial, along with the graves of the soldiers who fell there, stands as a poignant reminder of the battle.
