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Michigan Cavalry Brigade
(Wolverine Brigade)
1st, 5th, 6th & 7th Michigan Cavalry

The monument to the Michigan Cavalry Brigade is east of Gettysburg on East Cavalry Battlefield. (39.82618° N, 77.16532° W; map) It was dedicated by the State of Michigan in 1889.

Monument map: East Cavalry Battlefield (south end)

From the monument:

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 which 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 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.

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.

1st Michigan Cavalry Mustered in at Detroit, Mich. Sep 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. Total casualties 404. 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 2nd, 1865. Total enrollment 1198 officers and men. Killed, 4 officers 94 men. Died of Wounds 1 officer 23 men. Died of disease, 3 officers 233 men. Total casualties 358. Participated in 56 skirmishes and general engagements from Hanover, Pa. June 30, 1863 to Appomattox, Va., April 9, 1865.

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 35 men. Died of Wounds 18 men. Died of disease, 266 men. Total casualties 386. Participated in 56 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 Leavenworth, Kas. Dec. 16, 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, Pa. June 30, 1863 to Appomattox, Va., April 9, 1865.

Erected by the
State of
Michigan
to honor her martyrs & heros
who fought in defence
of liberty and union.

It was unusual in the Union army for all the regiments in a brigade to be from the same state, but the Wolverine Brigade was one of the exceptions. Three days before the fighting started at Gettysburg they were assigned a new commander, amazingly promoted from Captain to Brigadier General in one step, the youngest general in the army: George Armstrong Custer. His bas relief (right, second from bottom) fronts the monument.

On July 3rd Custer and his Wolverines played a major role in defeating Confederate General Jeb Stuart's attempted cavalry thrust around the Union army's right flank. They would go on to be one of the elite units in the Union army.

1st Michigan Cavalry
Commanded at Gettysburg by Col. Charles H. Town. It brought 502 men to the field.

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5th Michigan Cavalry
Commanded at Gettysburg by Col. Russel A. Alger. It brought 770 men to the field.

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6th Michigan Cavalry
Commanded at Gettysburg by Col. George Grey. It brought 611 men to the field.

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7th Michigan Cavalry
Commanded at Gettysburg by Col. William D'Anton Mann. It brought 461 men to the field.

See more about the 7th Michigan Cavalry