Three-fourths of a mile south of this site on the Hunterstown Road, newly appointed Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer led the Michigan Cavalry Brigade (1st, 5th, 6th, and 7th Regiments) in his first charge against superior forces of Confederate cavalry under General Wade Hampton and Cobb's Legion on July 2, 1863. During the attack, Custer's horse was shot from under him. Without a horse but uninjured, he found himself prone to the mercy of Confederate blades that bore down on him. This decisive first encounter nearly proved fatal if not for the bravery and quick thinking of Norvell Francis Churchill, Company "L" 1st Michigan Cavalry, who deflected a saber blow and pulled the "boy general" to the back of his steed, extracting him from harms way.
(Back Plaque):Dedicated on the
Battle of Hunterstown
July 2, 2008
Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table
Holland/Zeeland Civil War Round Table
Patricia Hedgecoth, Great Granddaughter of
Pvt. Norvell F. Churchill
The family of Harrison David Churchill
In memory of 1st Sgt. George T. Patten, 6th Michigan Cavalry, Co. B.
Ann Arbor Civil War Round Table
Howell Civil War Round Table
DUVCW Eva Gray Tent #2, Grand Rapids, MI
David and Joan Broene
Charlene Dunn, Great Granddaughter of Lt. Daniel McNaughton, 7th MI Cav.
"The Historic Tate Farm" Roger and Laurie Harding
John Michael Dempsey