Chapter 19 – This poem, East Cavalry Field, focuses on General J.E.B. Stuart‘s attempt to attack the Union rear on the third day of battle at Gettysburg. There to stop him were Union Cavalry led by General David McMurtrie Gregg. One of the heroes of the day was General George Armstrong Custer. He led the 7th and 1st Michigan Cavalry. Their efforts, along with Cavalry from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Massachusetts prevented the Confederates from penetrating into the rear of the Union defenses.
by Christopher Rudolph © 2015
Chapter 20 – East Cavalry Field Gettysburg – 3rd Day of Battle
Absent for so long
His cavalry eyes finally here
Lee gave J.E.B. Stuart orders
To attack the Union rear
So, with four worn brigades
On July 3rd
5,000 Confederate troopers
Swept northeast then southeast around Gettysburg
Down the Low Dutch Road
They launched a strike
Riding south
Headed for Baltimore Pike
For the Baltimore Pike
Would lead them clear
Right into the center
Of the Union rear
But as they approached
The Hanover road
From John Rummel’s farm
Fulminous blasts of lead explode
The 5th MICH Cavalry
Repeating rifles roaring
Spencer’s firepower displayed
Bullets zipping soaring scoring
Into this melee
J.E.B Stuart ordered a charge
Fitz Lee’s 1st VA Cavalry rode
Into a brazen bullet barrage
Galloping Rebel Troopers
Came fast pouring through
5th MICH Cavalry overwhelmed
They scattered to fight anew
Union General David Gregg
Ordered Custer to counterattack
Time for the Wolverine brigade
To give it back
General George Custer
Himself in the lead
“Come on you Wolverines
Time to make them bleed!”
Waves of horsemen collided
Furious fighting along the fence
700 riders toppled together
Wild rumble dense
Carbines, Colts, and sabers sharp
Swirling kaleidoscope of horror exploding grim
Custer’s horse was shot
Right out from under him
He grabbed a bugler’s horse
But he knew they were beat
Rebel’s won this skirmish
He ordered a retreat
But General Custer went back
For the Cavalry 1st Michigan
Led by Colonel H. Town
They charged once again
Armstrong Custer sword on high shouted
“Come on you Wolverines”
Galloping into the fray
Fierce warriors mean
Like two forests felled at once
Colliding both sides rushed
Horses falling end over end
Riders beneath cruelly crushed
Custer had another horse
Shot from under him once more
Fighting got hand to hand
So much blood and gore
Union General McIntosh
Then struck fiercely right
As 3rd PA and New Jersey’s First
Struck left to join the fight
Now assaulted from three sides
Stuart overwhelmed withdrew
Plan to attack the Union rear
Now impossible to do
Custer was relentless in his attack and counterattacks against Jeb Stuart’s Confederate Cavalry! “Ride You Wolverines” ! Was the motto of the day!