Mount Pleasant Township near Lake Heritage in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Michigan Cavalry Brigade

2nd Brig. 3rd Div. Cavalry Corps

Photographed By Craig Swain, April 12, 2008

1. Michigan Cavalry Brigade Monument

The monument stands at the focal point of the Michigan brigade's series of charges into the Confederate cavalry.

Inscription.

Michigan Cavalry Brigade. 2nd Brig. 3rd Div. Cavalry Corps. (Left Face): This monument marks the field where the Michigan Cavalry Brigade under its gallant leader General George A. Custer rendered signal and distinguished service in assisting to defeat the further advance of a numerically superior force under the Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart, who in conjunction with Pickett's charge upon the centre, attempted to turn the right flank of the Union army at that critical hour of conflict upon the afternoon of July 3rd 1863. Field held from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.. (A table breaks down regimental losses): 1st Mich. - Killed 10 men. Wounded 6 officers, 37 men. Missing 20 men. 5th Mich. - Killed 1 officer, 7 men. Wounded 1 officer, 29 men. Missing 18 men. 6th Mich. - Killed 1 man. Wounded 2 officers, 24 men. Missing 1 man. 7th Mich. - Killed 13 men. Wounded 4 officers, 44 men. Missing 39 men. Total casualties 257., (Back Face): First Michigan Cavalry Mustered in at Detroit, Mich. Sept. 13, 1861. Mustered out at Salt Lake City, Utah, Mar. 10, 1866 Total enrollment 3244 officers and men. Killed 10 officers, 92 men. Died of wounds 5 officers, 46 men. Died of disease 5 officers, 246 men. Participated in 67 skirmishes and general engagements from Winchester, Va. Mar. 23, 1862, to Appomattox, Va. April 9, 1865.. , Fifth Michigan Cavalry Mustered in at Detroit, Mich. August 30, 1862. Mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kas. June 22, 1865. Total enrollment 1198 officers and men. Killed 4 officers, 94 men. Died of wounds 1 officer, 23 men. Died of disease 3 officers, 23 men. Total casualties 358. Participated in 56 skirmishes and general engagements from Hanover, Pa. June 30, 1863, to Appomattox, Va. April 9, 1865.. (Right Face): Sixth Michigan Cavalry Mustered in at Grand Rapids, Mich. Oct. 13, 1862. Mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kas. Nov. 24, 1865. Total enrollment 1624 officers and men Killed 7 officers, 95 men. Wounded 18 men. Died of disease 266 men. Total casualties 386 Participated in 59 skirmishes and general engagements from Hanover, Pa June 30, 1863 to Appomattox, Va. April 9, 1865.. , Seventh Michigan Cavalry mustered in at Grand Rapids, Mich. Jan 16, 1863. Mustered out at Fort Levenworth, Kas. Dec. 15, 1865 Total enrollment 1779 officers and men Killed 2 officers, 47 men. Died of wounds 2 officers, 24 men. Died of disease 1 officer, 246 men. Total casualties 322. Participated in 56 skirmishes and general engagements from Hanover, June 30, 1863 to Appomattox, Va. April 9, 1865..

(Left Face):
This monument
marks the field where the
Michigan Cavalry Brigade
under its gallant leader
General George A. Custer
rendered signal and distinguished
service in assisting to defeat the
further advance of a numerically
superior force under the Confederate
General J.E.B. Stuart, who in
conjunction with Pickett's charge
upon the centre, attempted to turn
the right flank of the Union
army at that critical hour of
conflict upon the afternoon of
July 3rd 1863.
Field held from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.
(A table breaks down regimental losses):
1st Mich. - Killed 10 men. Wounded 6 officers, 37 men. Missing 20 men.
5th Mich. - Killed 1 officer, 7 men. Wounded 1 officer, 29 men. Missing 18 men.
6th Mich. - Killed 1 man. Wounded 2 officers, 24 men. Missing 1 man.
7th Mich. - Killed 13 men. Wounded 4 officers, 44 men. Missing 39 men.
Total casualties 257.

(Back Face):
First Michigan Cavalry
Mustered in

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at Detroit, Mich.
Sept. 13, 1861. Mustered out at
Salt Lake City, Utah, Mar. 10, 1866
Total enrollment 3244 officers and men.
Killed 10 officers, 92 men.
Died of wounds 5 officers, 46 men.
Died of disease 5 officers, 246 men.
Participated in 67 skirmishes
and general engagements from
Winchester, Va. Mar. 23, 1862, to
Appomattox, Va. April 9, 1865.

Fifth Michigan Cavalry
Mustered in at Detroit, Mich.
August 30, 1862. Mustered out at
Fort Leavenworth, Kas. June 22, 1865.
Total enrollment 1198 officers and men.
Killed 4 officers, 94 men.
Died of wounds 1 officer, 23 men.
Died of disease 3 officers, 23 men.
Total casualties 358.
Participated in 56 skirmishes
and general engagements from
Hanover, Pa. June 30, 1863, to
Appomattox, Va. April 9, 1865.(Right Face):
Sixth Michigan Cavalry
Mustered in at Grand Rapids, Mich.
Oct. 13, 1862. Mustered out at
Fort Leavenworth, Kas. Nov. 24, 1865.
Total enrollment 1624 officers and men
Killed 7 officers, 95

Photographed By Craig Swain, April 12, 2008

2. Front Face

The front face has a bas-relief battle scene and a portrait of General Custer.

men.
Wounded 18 men.
Died of disease 266 men.
Total casualties 386
Participated in 59 skirmishes
and general engagements from
Hanover, Pa June 30, 1863 to
Appomattox, Va. April 9, 1865.

Seventh Michigan Cavalry
mustered in at Grand Rapids, Mich.
Jan 16, 1863. Mustered out at
Fort Levenworth, Kas. Dec. 15, 1865
Total enrollment 1779 officers and men
Killed 2 officers, 47 men.
Died of wounds 2 officers, 24 men.
Died of disease 1 officer, 246 men.
Total casualties 322.
Participated in 56 skirmishes
and general engagements from
Hanover, June 30, 1863 to
Appomattox, Va. April 9, 1865.

Erected 1889 by State of Michigan.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1863.

Location. 39° 49.569′ N, 77° 9.919′ W. Marker is near Lake Heritage, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Mount Pleasant Township. Marker is on Cavalry Field Road (Gregg Avenue)

The Battle Scene image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, April 12, 2008

3. The Battle Scene

, on the right when traveling east. Located in the East Cavalry Battlefield section of the Gettysburg National Military Park. The path to the monument was used as a park road, and is sometimes referred to as "Custer Avenue," but is no longer open to vehicle traffic. 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 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Second Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); Come on You Wolverines (within shouting distance of this marker); Co. A Purnell Legion (within shouting distance of this marker); Second Division (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Brook Rawle Memorial Flagpole (about 600 feet away); First Brigade (about 600 feet away); Gregg Cavalry Shaft (about 700 feet away); 1st Regiment Maryland Cavalry (about 800 feet away); Third Pennsylvania Cavalry (approx. 0.2 miles away); First New Jersey Cavalry (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake Heritage.

Also see . . .
1. Michigan Brigade. The Michigan Brigade, sometimes

General Custer image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, April 12, 2008

4. General Custer

called the Wolverines, the Michigan Cavalry Brigade or Custer's Brigade, was a brigade of cavalry in the volunteer Union Army during the latter half of the American Civil War. Composed primarily of the 1st Michigan Cavalry, 5th Michigan Cavalry, 6th Michigan Cavalry and 7th Michigan Cavalry, the Michigan Brigade fought in every major campaign of the Army of the Potomac from the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 to the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House in April 1865. (Submitted on November 30, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

2. 1st Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. The 1st Regiment Michigan Volunteer Cavalry was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was a part of the famed Michigan Brigade, commanded for a time by Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer. (Submitted on November 30, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

3. 5th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. The 5th Regiment Michigan Volunteer Cavalry was a cavalry regiment that served

Left Face of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, April 12, 2008

5. Left Face of Monument

in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was a part of the famed Michigan Brigade, commanded for a time by Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer. (Submitted on November 30, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

4. 6th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. The 6th Regiment Michigan Volunteer Cavalry was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was a part of the famed Michigan Brigade, commanded for a time by Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer. (Submitted on November 30, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

5. 7th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. The 7th Regiment Michigan Volunteer Cavalry was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was a part of the famed Michigan Brigade, commanded for a time by Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer. (Submitted on November 30, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

6. George Armstrong Custer. George Armstrong Custer (December 5, 1839 – June 25, 1876) was a United

Rear Face of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, April 12, 2008

6. Rear Face of Monument

States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars. Raised in Michigan and Ohio, Custer was admitted to West Point in 1858, where he graduated last in his class. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Custer was called to serve with the Union Army. (Submitted on November 30, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

7. J.E.B. Stuart. James Ewell Brown "Jeb" Stuart (February 6, 1833 – May 12, 1864) was a United States Army officer from the U.S. state of Virginia who later became a Confederate States Army general during the American Civil War. He was known to his friends as "Jeb", from the initials of his given names. Stuart was a cavalry commander known for his mastery of reconnaissance and the use of cavalry in support of offensive operations. (Submitted on November 30, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

Right Face of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, April 12, 2008

7. Right Face of Monument

Seal of the State of Michigan image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, April 12, 2008

8. Seal of the State of Michigan

Michigan Cavalry Brigade (1st, 5th, 6th, & 7th Michigan Cavalry) Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015

9. Michigan Cavalry Brigade (1st, 5th, 6th, & 7th Michigan Cavalry) Monument

Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015

10. Michigan Cavalry Brigade (1st, 5th, 6th, & 7th Michigan Cavalry) Monument

Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015

11. Michigan Cavalry Brigade (1st, 5th, 6th, & 7th Michigan Cavalry) Monument

Michigan Cavalry Brigade Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 12, 2002

12. Michigan Cavalry Brigade Marker

Custer Avenue iron sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 9, 2010

13. Custer Avenue iron sign

The East Cavalry Field path leading to the monument is appropriately named for the Commanding General of the Michigan Brigade.

Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015

14. Michigan Cavalry Brigade (1st, 5th, 6th, & 7th Michigan Cavalry) Monument

Brig. General George A. Custer (1839-1876)<br>Commander Michigan Brigade image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress, circa 1864

15. Brig. General George A. Custer (1839-1876)
Commander Michigan Brigade

Major General J.E.B. Stuart (1833-1864)<br>Commander Confederate Cavalry image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott

16. Major General J.E.B. Stuart (1833-1864)
Commander Confederate Cavalry

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,032 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on July 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 9, 10, 11. submitted on November 30, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 12. submitted on July 8, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 13. submitted on May 22, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 14, 15, 16. submitted on November 30, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.