East Cavalry Battlefield Virtual Tour

 

Explore the events of July 3rd on the East Cavalry Battlefield

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East of town, East Cavalry field saw action on the third day of battle

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Begin your Tour

On July 3rd, 1863, Union Cavalry were sent east of town to prevent Confederate Cavalry from attacking the Union right flank. This tour will cover the action between J.E.B Stuart's Cavalry and Union Cavalry under the command of Brigadier General George Custer and Brigadier General David Gregg.

 

East Cavalry Map

Tour Map

There are five stops along this tour. Use this map to guide your tour. The Museum and Visitor Center is approximately 4 miles from he main portion of the tour.

 

Begin your tour at the Visitor center

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Stop 1 - Museum and Visitor Center

Your tour will begin at the Museum and Visitor Center. You can pick up a map and brochure to help you on your tour.

From the Visitor Center, turn right onto the Baltimore Pike (Rt. 97 South). Drive about 1.5 miles to US 15. Take US 15 North to the Hanover Road (Rt. 116) Exit. Take Rt. 116 East for about 1.5 miles. Turn left (watch for on-coming traffic) at the brown National Park Service sign “East Cavalry Field” and stop at the second monument for Battery M, 2nd US Artillery (Pennington's).

 

The marker to Battery M, 2nd US artillery

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Stop 2 - Battery M, 2nd US Artillery Marker

On July 3, 1863, in an effort to protect the Confederate left flank, Confederate Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart led his Cavalry troops from near Hunterstown to a position near the York Road. The area today known as East Cavalry Field.

On the morning of July 3, this ground was occupied by a brigade of four Michigan regiments and a battery of horse artillery under the command of newly promoted Brig. Gen. George A. Custer. After a battle at Hunterstown the previous evening, Custer had been ordered to this position to protect the right flank of the Union army at Gettysburg and secure the important intersection of the Low Dutch and Hanover Roads just off to your right. Custer’s four regiments were soon reinforced by the arrival of Brig. Gen. David M. Gregg’s Second Cavalry Division, which took position on Custer’s left along the Hanover Road.

Directions to next stop: Proceed ahead 1.3 Miles following the brown and white East Cavalry Field signs to Stop 3.

 

The 1st New Jersey Cavalry Monument

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Stop 3 - 1st New Jersey Cavalary Monument

Discovering no sign of Stuart, the 1st NJ Cavalry moved forward around 2 pm from the Lott House to this position to investigate Rummel’s Woods. This wooded area is beyond the stone farmhouse to your right front. Within moments, dismounted Confederates from Brig. Gen. Albert Jenkins’ Virginia Brigade appeared from behind
the Rummel house and barn, formed a line and opened fire.

Federal reinforcements from McIntosh’s Brigade joined the NJ men and extended the line of battle to the left (across the road) and right of the monument. Soon the Union troops exhausted their ammunition and began to withdraw. They were replaced by the 5th MI Cavalry from Custer’s Brigade armed with new 7-shot repeating rifles. Custer, disregarding his previous orders, obeyed Gregg’s order to stay when the fighting began.

Directions to next stop: Follow East Cavalry Field Access Road 0.7 miles.

 

General Stuart's Artillery

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Stop 4 - Cress Ridge

From this commanding position on Cress Ridge, General Stuart prepared his cavalry and artillery to attack Gregg’s and Custer’s position. Stuart arranged his 19 regiments, numbering 5,000 in a line behind and to the northeast of Rummel’s Woods to keep them hidden from enemy scouts.

Directions to Next Stop: Proceed 0.3 miles to the CSA Fitzhugh Brigade Monument and turn around in the small lot. Proceed from the turnaround 1.3 miles to the Michigan Cavalry Brigade monument.

 

The Michigan Cavalry Monument

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Stop 5 - Michigan Cavlary Brigade Monument

On this stretch of open ground halfway between the opposing lines, the last charge by Lee’s and Hampton’s 3,600 horsemen was defeated. As the compact lines of horsemen crossed these fields heading for the Union positions along the Hanover Road (Stop 2), they were attacked on 3 sides by McIntosh’s and Custer’s 3,200 men.

This concludes your tour.