During the Civil War, Thomas Ward Custer was one of only four soldiers and sailors to be awarded two Medals of Honor. He was only 20 years of age when he was promoted to brevet lieutenant colonel. In the last year of the war Thomas served under his brother, Brevet General George Armstrong Custer, and became his aide-de-camp. After the war, in 1866, Thomas was appointed first lieutenant in the 7th Cavalry. In 1868 he was wounded in the Indian Wars, where he fought in the Battle of Honsinger Bluff and the Black Hills Expedition. In 1875 he was promoted to captain and given command of Company C of the 7th Cavalry. Thomas was killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, along with his older brother George Armstrong Custer, younger brother Boston Custer, and his nephew Henry Armstrong ‟Autie” Reed.
Thomas Custer was the first soldier to receive two Medals of Honor. He won the first medal when his horse jumped a Confederate barricade and he captured three officers and eleven enlisted men at the Battle of Namozine Church. Later, at the Battle of Sayler᾽s Creek, he won his second medal when he again leaped the enemy᾽s barricade, scattering the Confederates. Custer was shot in the face, but remained mounted, and then he captured the flag of the color bearer and returned with it to the Union ranks. With blood running down his face, he turned to rejoin the battle. His brother and commanding officer, General George Custer, ordered him to report to the surgeon. Thomas ignored the order and was returning to the battle when George had him arrested and sent under guard to the rear for medical treatment.
This Thomas Custer History Mug is part of the Medal of Honor Series.
The biographical History Mugs were created to teach and inspire individuals to learn about our diverse and interesting history. The biographies were researched and written by history enthusiast, Robert Compton. He colorized most of the historic photos and images used on the mugs, which were originally black and white or sepia tone. The images and biographies are imprinted on mugs at his studio in rural Vermont.
- Mugs are food and microwave safe.
- To preserve photographic quality we recommend hand washing.
- Mugs are usually shipped within 3-5 days.
- Shipping charges are lower when buying multiple mugs.