On the afternoon of July 3, Confederate Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart mounted several cavalry attacks against Brig. Gen. David M. Gregg's Union cavalry positioned along the Hanover Road one-half mile in front of this location. Capt. William E. Miller of the U.S.A. 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry recalled that the collision was so sudden and violent that many horses were turned end over end and crushed their riders beneath them, and a colonel of the 1st Virginia Cavalry reported fighting that was hand to hand, blow for blow, cut for cut, and oath for oath. At 4:00 p.m., Stuart assembled 12 regiments of troopers for the last great charge of the day, advancing in close column of squadrons with sabers drawn. The closest Union regiment available to halt the Southern horsemen was the 1st Michigan Cavalry. Brig. Gen. George A. Custer rode to the head of the regiment, stood in the stirrups with his saber aloft, and led a countercharge while other Union cavalry under Col. John B. McIntosh closed in on the flanks. Assaulted on three sides, the Confederates retreated, and the attack on the Union rear failed.

Photo: Craig Swain

Photo: "Hampton's Charge" by Don Troiani

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Craig Swain

Photo: Brian Scott

Photo: Brian Scott

Photo: Brian Scott

Photo: Brian Scott

Photo: Painting by Don Troiani

Photo: Brian Scott

Photo: Craig Swain

Bonneauville, Pennsylvania · USA