Michigan Brigade facts for kids

The Michigan Brigade, also known as the Wolverines or Custer's Brigade, was a special group of horse-riding soldiers (called cavalry) who fought for the Union Army during the second half of the American Civil War. This brigade was mostly made up of four Michigan cavalry regiments: the 1st Michigan Cavalry, 5th Michigan Cavalry, 6th Michigan Cavalry, and 7th Michigan Cavalry.

These brave soldiers fought in every big battle and campaign of the Army of the Potomac. Their journey started at the famous Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 and continued all the way to the end of the war, when the Confederate forces surrendered at Appomattox Court House in April 1865. The brigade first became well-known during the Gettysburg Campaign while under the command of the young and energetic Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer. After the war, some of these soldiers even joined the 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment and fought again with Custer in the Old West.

The Michigan Brigade's History

How the Brigade Started

The Michigan Cavalry Brigade was officially formed on December 12, 1862, in Washington, D.C.. At first, it included the 5th, 6th, and 7th Michigan Cavalry regiments. General Joseph T. Copeland was their first commander.

Later, in early 1863, during the Gettysburg Campaign, the 1st Michigan Cavalry and Battery M, 2nd United States Artillery, joined the brigade. This happened in central Maryland as part of a big change to the Army of the Potomac's Cavalry Corps, led by Alfred Pleasonton.

Early Battles and Custer's Leadership

The larger brigade was then given to the newly promoted George Armstrong Custer, who took command near Westminster, Maryland. The Michigan Brigade had its first fight together at the Battle of Hanover in southern Pennsylvania on June 30, 1863. Custer's men were sent ahead as a strong group of scouts south of the town.

Just two days later, on July 2, the brigade fought in the Battle of Hunterstown. During this battle, one of the Wolverines, Norville Churchill, bravely saved Custer. Custer had fallen and was stuck under his dead horse in the road.

Fighting at Gettysburg

At the big Battle of Gettysburg, the Michigan Brigade was positioned east of Gettysburg along Hanover Road on July 3. On the third day of the battle, the brigade fought in different ways. The 5th and 6th regiments fought on foot as skirmishers (lightly armed soldiers who scout ahead) near the John Rummel farm. Meanwhile, the 7th and then the 1st Michigan charged into a growing fight on horseback in the center. Custer's famous shout, "Come on, you Wolverines!" became the rallying cry for the whole brigade.

As the Army of Northern Virginia retreated from Gettysburg, Custer's men kept fighting small battles with the Confederate rear guard. They fought another battle at Falling Waters as the last of Robert E. Lee's army crossed the Potomac River. These small fights continued into Virginia, including a minor one at Amissville.

Later Campaigns in 1863

For the rest of 1863, the Michigan Brigade was busy scouting and patrolling. They also protected the sides of the Army of the Potomac. The brigade again fought a series of battles with J.E.B. Stuart's Confederate cavalry during the Bristoe Campaign and the Mine Run Campaign.

The Year 1864: Raids and Big Battles

For a short time, the 1st Vermont Cavalry also joined the Michigan Brigade.

In February 1864, the Michigan Brigade took part in a large cavalry raid led by Hugh Judson Kilpatrick. About 5,000 cavalrymen rode towards Richmond, Virginia, the capital city of the Confederacy. Kilpatrick's goals for this bold raid were to free Union prisoners of war, cut off supply lines, and cause panic among Confederate citizens and government officials. The soldiers carried only two days' worth of food and were expected to find more food by foraging from the land. Kilpatrick's men cut all the train lines between Richmond and the Army of Northern Virginia, but they did not enter Richmond or free the prisoners.

During the Overland Campaign in May, the Michigan soldiers were part of Philip H. Sheridan's raid. They fought at the Battle of Haw's Shop on May 28. Because the area was heavily wooded, Custer had his brigade get off their horses and form a long line, just like infantry soldiers. However, Custer kept riding his horse, waving his hat, which inspired his men. Some new Confederate infantry soldiers from South Carolina thought the Union soldiers were retreating and charged after them. Instead, they ran right into Custer's men, who captured eighty Confederates. Forty-one Michigan cavalrymen were lost in the attack, but their strong charge made Wade Hampton's men retreat.

At Trevilian Station on June 11 and 12, the brigade was heavily involved in fighting. Custer moved his men into a position behind two Confederate divisions and took control of the train station and a large amount of supplies. However, later enemy movements almost surrounded the Michigan Brigade. Custer and his men had to fight their way out of being trapped.

In July, the brigade rode to Washington, D.C., on their way to the Shenandoah Valley. This area was being threatened by a Confederate force led by Jubal A. Early. The Michigan Brigade fought at Winchester, Virginia, on August 11, and in many other small battles through September. In September, they fought at the Battle of Opequon, also near Winchester, where they captured three Confederate battle flags. The brigade also saw action at the Battle of Fisher's Hill.

On September 26, Custer was promoted to lead a larger division. Colonel James H. Kidd of the 6th Michigan then took direct command of the Michigan Brigade. The brigade spent the rest of the year in the Valley, fighting a series of battles with Confederate cavalry. This included a big victory over Jubal Early at the Battle of Cedar Creek.

The Final Year: 1865

On February 27, General Sheridan began a major movement against Early's remaining forces in the Valley and his supply lines. The Michigan Brigade fought at Louisa Court House against enemy cavalry led by Thomas L. Rosser. They defeated the Confederates and captured the village and its important military supplies.

Soon after, following Early's final defeat at the Battle of Waynesboro, Sheridan's force was sent to the Richmond area. They were there to help Ulysses S. Grant's final push to break Lee's defenses. The Michigan Brigade arrived at White House just in time to join some of the last battles of the Army of the Potomac. This included the Battle of Five Forks on April 1. They were active in chasing Lee's retreating army after Richmond fell and again fought the Confederates at the Battle of Sayler's Creek on April 6. They were among the troops that finally blocked Lee's escape route, which led to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House.

Under the command of Colonel Peter Stagg, the Michigan Brigade was part of Sheridan's force that rode south to Petersburg, Virginia, and then into North Carolina. They were going to help William T. Sherman's army defeat another Confederate army led by Joseph E. Johnston. However, Johnston surrendered before Sheridan arrived. The Michigan Brigade then returned to Washington, D.C., for the Grand Review of the Armies on May 23.

After the War: Western Duty

Right after the Grand Review, the Michigan Brigade received orders to serve in the Western frontier in the District of the Plains, Department of Missouri. Using trains and riverboats, the brigade arrived at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. They had 2,300 men but only 600 horses. There, the 5th Michigan was officially dismissed from service, along with parts of the other three regiments whose time in the army had ended. This was about half the brigade. The remaining soldiers then served in the Dakota Territory with the forces of Patrick Connor until December.

In late 1865, the remaining parts of the much smaller brigade were combined into the 1st Michigan Veteran Cavalry. They served in the Montana Territory. Even though their time of service had ended, the remaining men were kept in the army until March 10, 1866. Finally, they were dismissed and allowed to go home to Michigan. Some men chose to stay on the frontier and join Custer's 7th U.S. Cavalry. A few former members of the Michigan Brigade even fought at the Battle of Little Big Horn in June 1876.

Most veterans of the Michigan Brigade were active in groups like the Grand Army of the Republic. Many men returned to Gettysburg for the 25th Anniversary celebrations. A few even returned in 1913 for the 50th Anniversary.

Today, a non-profit group called the Michigan Cavalry Brigade Association acts as living historians and reenactors, keeping the brigade's memory alive.