This general was the youngest at Gettysburg. He graduated from United States Military Academy at West Point dead last in his class. His class had consisted of 108 candidates of whom 68 passed the entrance exam. Even though this picture was taken after the battle of Gettysburg in the Fall of 1863, the uniqueness of this picture is surprising in many paths.
On June 22, 1863, Colonel Alfred Pleasonton commanded the Cavalry Corps for the Federal Army., he was promoted to Major General. With this General George Meade had to replace him with fighting men. He found three aggressive fighters that he wanted as his aides: Wesley Merritt, Elon J. Farnsworth, and George Custer. Each soldier received their own promotions.
The Wolverine Brigade consisted of four regiments: 1st, 5th, 6th, and 7th Michigan Cavalry. Union intelligence brought back information that the enemy was trying to circle and cut off supply lines consisting of soldiers, horses, food, and ammunition. Sometime in the afternoon on July 3rd, Confederate General Robert E. Lee ordered Jeb Stuart to circle behind the Federal lines with three batteries of horse cavalry and four regiments.
The Wolverine Brigade clashed around the John Rummel Farm against the Confederate cavalry. Custer brigade was near the intersection of Hanover Road and Low Dutch Road. The 5th and 6th were dismounted skirmishers and rushed forward, while the 1st and the 7th remained on their horses. The 1st and the 7th Michigan charged into the center of the melee while George Custer yelled the rallying cry: “Come on, you Wolverines!” The Michigan Brigade fought hard and pushed the Confederate Cavalry in retreat. Custer won the battle. Overall, the Michigan Brigade lost some 257 soldiers that were either killed, wounded or missing.
Here are the numbers by the individual regiments: Killed (k), Wounded (w), Missing (m)
- 1st Michigan commanded by Colonel Charles Town – 10k, 43w, 20m
- 5th Michigan commanded by Colonel Russel A. Alger – 8k, 30w, 18m
- 6th Michigan commanded by Colonel George Grey – 1k, 26w, 1m
- 7th Michigan commanded by Colonel William d’Alton Mann – 13k, 48w, 39m
Above is the monument for the Michigan Cavalry Brigade being dedicated on June 12, 1889. The Michigan regiments celebrated their 135th anniversary of their dedication of their monuments in 2025.