Waist up CDV of Bethel M. Custer wearing a frock coat with felt collar and 2^nd Lieutenant’s boards.

Image is clear, bright and very clean.

Top of reverse has period ink inscription that reads “BETHEL MOORE CUSTER / LIEUT. 32^nd U.S.C.T.” Image back mark is for W. L. GERMON of Philadelphia. There is also collector’s information in pencil.

Bethel M. Custer was born in Pennsylvania on January 8, 1828.

He enlisted at Philadelphia on May 18, 1861 as a Private in Company C, 19^th Pennsylvania Infantry. This enlistment was for three months and he was mustered out on August 29, 1861.

Custer enlisted for a second time, this time for three years. On September 17, 1861 he became a Private in Company C, 90^th Pennsylvania and eventually rose to Sergeant. While with the 90^th he saw action at Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg.

On February 26, 1864 he was commissioned a 2^nd Lieutenant in Company F, 32^nd USCT and was promoted 1^st Lieutenant in November of 1864. He served with his regiment at Honey Hill and Deveaux’s Neck and on James Island. He was mustered out on August 22, 1865.

Still not done with his service, Custer was commissioned 1^st Lieutenant in the 11^th USCT serving in Tennessee. He was finally mustered out of the volunteer service on January 12, 1866.

Custer went on to serve in the Regular Army until his death in 1887.

A book length study on Bethel Custer’s life was published in 2013 titled “ANOTHER CUSTER: BETHEL MOORE CUSTER AND THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS 1867-1887.” The book is still available on Amazon.com.

No relation to the famous General George Armstrong Custer could be found.   [ad]

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