6th United States Cavalry Regiment

The monument to the 6th United States Cavalry Regiment is on the South Cavalry Field (top right).
See map

A marker (center and bottom right) is on the Fairfield-Orrtanna Road six miles north of Fairfield. Its location is a short distance north of the site of regiment's fight with Confederate General William "Grumble" Jones' Confederate Cavalry on July 3rd.

From the monument:

Army of the Potomac
Cavalry Corps
Reserve Brigade First Division
Sixth U.S. Cavalry
Major Samuel H. Starr commanding

Detachment at Headquarters, Army of the Potomac

July 3 Moved at 12 m. with the Brigade from Emmitsburg to attack the Confederate Right and Rear but was detached from the Brigade to intercept the Confederate wagon train supposed to be near Fairfield or Millerstown. Engaged a superior force of the Confederate Cavalry near Mllerstown and withdrew after heavy loss.

Casualties: killed 6 men; wounded 5 officers and 23 men; missing 5 officers and 203 men"

From the marker:

Sixth Regt. U.S. Cavalry
The
Marshall and Culberson Houses

Here the
temporary field hospitals of
the regiment ofJuly 3rd 1863.
The regiment commanded by Major
S. H.Starr was sent to Fairfield to
capture a Confederate wagon train
guarded by Jones' Brigade of Confederate
Cavalry consisting of the 6th 7th & 11th Rgt's
Virginia Cavalry, Clue's Virginia Battery
and the 35th Virginia Battalion were met
on this road & after a severe hand-to-hand
fight were compelled to retire.

Brought into action 400.
Lost 242.
Erected by the survivors 1909.

The 6th U. S. Cavary was part of the Reserve Brigade of the 1st Division of the Cavalry Corps.

< Last • U. S. Regulars and Sharpshooters • Next >