Overall a Good Article 

Custer was a tricky fellow.  He was actively idolized and utterly despised even in his own time.  Ironically the people that hate him today for fighting the Native Americans would be on the Grant Administration's side - who hated him for publically defending their rights.  As for his competance, that was always open too.  Being a balls to the wall aggressive cavalryman doesn't make him a military genius but being so, winning, and surviving is close.  And in the end, close isn't always good enough.  After Gettysburg he encountered General Longstreet and tried to convince General Lee's stout lieutenant he had him outnumbered and out gunned.  He requested Longstreet's surrender in person.  Longstreet ordered his staff to bring several Confederate divisions up to attack including General Pickett's.  In reality these divisions existed only on paper and Pickett's was crushed at Gettysburg.  But Custer bought Longstreet's bluff and retreated with his tail between his legs.