Straban Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 24, 2008
1. Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer Monument
(Front Plaque):
Three-fourths of a mile south of this site on the Hunterstown Road, newly appointed Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer led the Michigan Cavalry Brigade (1st, 5th, 6th, and 7th Regiments) in his first charge against superior forces of Confederate cavalry under General Wade Hampton and Cobb's Legion on July 2, 1863. During the attack, Custer's horse was shot from under him. Without a horse but uninjured, he found himself prone to the mercy of Confederate blades that bore down on him. This decisive first encounter nearly proved fatal if not for the bravery and quick thinking of Norvell Francis Churchill, Company "L" 1st Michigan Cavalry, who deflected a saber blow and pulled the "boy general" to the back of his steed, extracting him from harms way.
(Back Plaque):
145th Anniversary
of the
Battle of Hunterstown
July 2, 2008
Sponsors:
Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table
Holland/Zeeland Civil War Round Table
Donors:
Patricia Hedgecoth, Great Granddaughter of
Pvt. Norvell F. Churchill
The family of Harrison David Churchill
In memory of 1st Sgt. George T. Patten, 6th Michigan Cavalry, Co. B.
Ann Arbor Civil War Round Table
Howell Civil War Round Table
DUVCW Eva Gray
this page online
David and Joan Broene
Charlene Dunn, Great Granddaughter of Lt. Daniel McNaughton, 7th MI Cav.
"The Historic Tate Farm" Roger and Laurie Harding
John Michael Dempsey
Erected 2008 by Grand Rapids and Holland/Zeeland Civil War Round Tables.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1780.
Location. 39° 52.964′ N, 77° 9.778′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Straban Township. Memorial is at the intersection of Hunterstown Road and Shrivers Corner Road (County Route 394), on the right when traveling north on Hunterstown Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pres. George Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Hunterstown (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jacob Grass Hotel (about 600 feet away); Army of the Potomac (about 700 feet away); Revolutionary Soldiers in Great Conewago Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Civil War Soldiers in the Great Conewago Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Great Conewago Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Gettysburg Campaign (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 11, 2013
2. Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer Marker
A new base has been added to the bottom of the Custer Monument.
Also see . . . Custer Marker in Hunterstown. Gettysburg Daily article. (Submitted on December 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Karl Stelly, August 13, 2014
3. Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer Monument
Two small replica cannon have been added to the memorial recently.
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 24, 2008
4. Back of Monument
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 24, 2008
5. Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer Monument
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 11, 2013
6. Closeup of Custer Relief
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 24, 2008
7. Custer's Charge
Just to the south along Hunterstown Road is Felty's Ridge. From the ridge, Custer led his charge forward against Wade Hampton's Confederates to the south on Gilbert Ridge (in the far distance). The brick house to the right of the road is the Felty House
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 24, 2008
8. The Gilbet House
Further to the south, along Hunterstown Road. Custer's horse was killed in the near vicinity to the curve just beyond the Gilbert House. Pvt. Churchill rescued his General from the Confederates here.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 7,755 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on April 13, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on August 15, 2014, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 4, 5. submitted on August 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on April 13, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 7, 8. submitted on August 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
