George Armstrong Custer: Difference between revisions

On February 1, 1866, Major General Custer mustered out of the U.S. volunteer service and took an extended leave of absence until September 24.<ref>{{citeCite web|url=https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/America/United_States/Army/USMA/Cullums_Register/1966*.html|title=George A. Custer • Cullum's Register • 1966|website=penelope.uchicago.edu}}</ref> During this time he explored several options in New York City,<ref name="utley-38">Utley 2001, p. 38.</ref> where he considered careers in railroads and mining.<ref name="utley-39">Utley 2001, p. 39.</ref> Offered a position (and $10,000 in gold) as adjutant general of the army of [[Benito Juárez]] of [[Mexico]], who was then in a struggle with the Mexican Emperor [[Maximilian I of Mexico|Maximilian I]] (a satellite ruler of French Emperor [[Napoleon III]]), Custer applied for a one-year leave of absence from the U.S. Army, which was endorsed by [[Ulysses S. Grant|Grant]] and Secretary Stanton. However, Sheridan and Mrs. Custer disapproved, and after his request for leave was opposed by U.S. Secretary of State [[William H. Seward]], who was against having an American officer commanding foreign troops, Custer refused the alternative of resignation from the Army to take the lucrative post.<ref name="utley-39"/><ref>Wert (1996), p. 241.</ref>