Hunterstown in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer
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 Tent
#2, Grand Rapids, MI
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.
Location. 39° 52.964′ N, 77° 9.778′ W. Marker is in Hunterstown, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker 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.
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); Civil War Hospital (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hunterstown.
Also see . . .
1. The Battle of Hunterstown. A lesser known action in the Gettysburg Campaign. (Submitted on August 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Custer Marker in Hunterstown. Gettysburg Daily article. (Submitted on December 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Categories. • War, US Civil •

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
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on August 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,753 times since then and 110 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 North Arlington, 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 North Arlington, New Jersey. 7, 8. submitted on August 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.