North Newport News , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Custer’s Covered Way
1862 Peninsula Campaign
During the Peninsula Campaign, Lieutenant Custer served with distinction as a staff officer and scout. He made an uneasy observation flight in the balloon Constitution at Warwick Court House and wrote that “My confidence in balloons at that time was not sufficient.” In addition, Custer supervised the construction of the covered way before you and the connecting rifle pit for the Berdan Sharpshooters. A covered way protected troops moving between the main line and secondary positions. During the Battle of Williamsburg on May 5, 1862, Custer discovered several abandoned redoubts on the Confederate left flank. By seizing these fortifications, the Union Army gained a tactical advantage.
Custer earned a reputation for reckless bravery and was advanced from captain to brigadier general in 1863. At the age of 23, Custer commanded a cavalry brigade and was one of the youngest generals in the Union Army. He ended the war as a brevet major general and commanded a cavalry division. Thereafter, Custer served as the lieutenant colonel of the 7th U.S. Cavalry and fought in the Indian Wars. On June 25, 1876, the Sioux and Cheyenne killed Custer and 264 troopers at the Battle of the Little Big Horn.
(captions)
First Lieutenant George A. Custer (reclining at right) relaxes with Union officers at Cumberland Landing, May 1862. Courtesy of Library of Congress.
Brevet Major General George Armstrong Custer.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 5, 1862.
Location. 37° 10.853′ N, 76° 32.113′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in North Newport News. Marker can be reached from Constitution Way, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in Newport News Park, on the Two Forts Walking Trail on the south side of Lee Hall Reservoir. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newport News VA 23603, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mott’s Battery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Peninsula Campaign Warwick River (about 500 feet away); Battle of Dam No. 1 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle of Lee’s Mill (Dam Number 1) (approx. 0.2 miles away); Third Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ten Pound Parrott Rifle and Limber (approx. 0.2 miles away); One-Gun Battery (approx. 0.3 miles away); “Their Conduct was Worthy of Veterans” (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Markers on the Two Forts Walking Trail in Newport News Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,198 times since then and 76 times this year. Last updated on August 28, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 8, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.